NEW DELHI:
Delhi high court
has taken notice of
income tax department
's 'satisfaction note' listing out information on several cash transactions by Kakkar-Miglani group during 2018 assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and 2019 general elections, including by state PWD, as well as payments by
Megha Engineering
and its arms of electoral bonds-fame while refusing to stop
reassessment proceedings
against Congress.
While deciding three of the seven writ petitions filed by Congress on Friday, Justices Yashwant Varma and Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav factored in tax department's contention that over Rs 520 crore may have escaped assessment.
The opposition party had filed seven writ petitions against tax department, which is seeking to conclude the ongoing reassessment for seven financial years - 2013-14 to 2020-21 - by March 31, an exercise which can result in I-T demand on the assesse being raised if evasion is established. The highest amount of around Rs 349 crore relates to financial year 2019-20.
Details of I-T department's 'satisfaction note', running into 300 pages, have not been revealed, there are several references to cash transactions that were undertaken, with funds allegedly delivered to 24, Akbar Road, which houses Congress headquarters.
For instance, searches on Megha Engineering revealed 10 diary entries showing cash payments of close to Rs 26 crore to Akbar Road between Feb 28, 2019, and Oct 1, 2019. According to details in court order, in his statement, one P V Sunil "accepted" that he had paid amounts at 24, Akbar Road.
Similarly, a scrap sales diary seized from office of Western UP Power Transmission Co Ltd, a Megha Engineering subsidiary, also allegedly showed payments of Rs 10.5 crore. Loose papers are said to have contained details of unaccounted cash from the transmission company.
The court order also provides a list of alleged transactions recovered during raids on Kakkar-Miglani group, who are said to be key aides of ex-MP CM Kamal Nath. Evidence collected shows that ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, public works department allegedly contributed funds to Congress. There are some entries related to energy department too.
Efforts of an income tax team, which was pursuing cash couriers, to search Congress office just before last Lok Sabha elections had touched off a political controversy, with the then party treasurer rushing to 24, Akbar Road to argue with tax officials who were keen on questioning one S M Moin. HC order showing satisfaction with I-T department's findings can intensify the fight on political contributions to parties.
Besides, documents submitted by I-T department in court showed payments of Rs 17 crore to AICC and an alleged transfer of Rs 20 crore from residence of Kamal Nath to AICC head office.
There is mention of 'payments' to various MLAs as well as a payment of Rs 90 lakh to another ex-MP CM.
Further, before 2018 assembly polls in MP, files found on laptop of one Lalit Chhallani contained an Excel sheet mentioning that AICC had allegedly been given Rs 33 crore.
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