Sources said the above exercise, conducted by the tax authorities, is called "survey", not search or raid as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act. Such surveys are routinely conducted and are not to be confused to be in the nature of a search/raid, said sources.
The Opposition leaders on Monday came down heavily on the BJP-led central government after surveys were conducted by the Income Tax department at the Delhi and Mumbai offices of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The Bharat Rastra Samithi, too, waded into the row claiming that the '
Condemning the ongoing Income Tax 'survey' at the BBC offices, located in Delhi, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP on Monday accused the Central government of throttling the fundamental right of 'freedom of expression'.
Congress MP and former Union minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday attacked the Centre after the Income Tax department "surveyed" the offices of British public broadcaster BBC, saying the government has redefined press freedom as per its convenience.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday asked the Central government to come clean on the recent 'survey' conducted by I-T officials at BBC offices, located in Delhi, Mumbai.
Reacting to the 'survey' at BBC offices, located at Delhi and Mumbai offices, by I-T officials, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said that the Income Tax department would give detailed information regarding this.
The Income Tax department on Tuesday conducted a survey at BBC's offices in Delhi and Mumbai in view of the British public broadcaster's "deliberate non-compliance" with the Transfer Pricing Rules and its vast diversion of profits, said sources.
As an I-T 'survey' in the BBC offices, located in Delhi and Mumbai, is going on, Congress on Tuesday reacted sharply and accused the government of showing a 'dictatorial' attitude.
The All India Bar Association (AIBA) on Tuesday congratulated the Income-tax Department for going through BBC's documents to check irregularities relating to international taxation and Tax Deducted at Source transactions.
British public broadcaster BBC has said it is cooperating with the Indian income tax authorities who are conducting surveys at their Delhi and Mumbai offices.