India

The Income Tax Department has detected Rs 230 crore unaccounted income from the well known Chhajalani group in arguably the biggest ever income tax evasion in India. The 3 -day long income tax surveys concluded on Saturday.

The group owners agreed to surrender unaccounted income of Rs 230 crore on Saturday morning and agreed to pay outstanding tax liability as well.

Commissioner, Income Tax-I, BP Jain admitted that to his knowledge such a huge detection of tax evasion was never made in entire MP&CG circle till date in a single IT survey.

However, junior income tax officers told DNA that the Rs 230 crore tax evasion detection in one survey is the biggest ever in India.

The survey is complete but post survey assessment and investigation would continue till regular tax assessment, Jain told DNA.

A team of around 50 IT officers started simultaneous surveys at various establishments of the Chhajlani group on Thursday. After a grueling investigation of around 40 hours, the operation got over on Saturday yielded documents, suggesting non-entry of Rs 15 crore of income earned through this unit in account book. The group also made huge investments in real estate but did not show Rs 14.50 crore of profit accrued in this venture in accounts. The operation led to recovery of documents which suggested unaccounted profits of Rs 10 crore in other ventures of the group.

The IT sleuths scrutinized accounts till Friday night. The investigators mostly focused on Laabh Ganga- based offices of the group.

Significantly, the group is known for its affiliation to a reputed Hindi newspaper publication house in which it recently sold out its stakes.