Kerala: Congress-Backed News Channel Alleges Freezing Of Its Bank Accounts By Tax Authorities

Jaihind TV's Managing Director B S Shiju described the action as a clear case of political vendetta against the Indian National Congress and DK Shivakumar.

According to sources from Jaihind TV, the freezing of the accounts is reportedly linked to a 7-year-old case involving service tax arrears, currently being heard by the Kerala High Court.

Amidst escalating tensions, the management of Congress-affiliated Jaihind TV in Kerala alleged that its bank accounts were frozen by the Centre, a day after the national party's primary bank accounts were similarly frozen by the Income Tax (I-T) department due to an outstanding tax demand.

According to sources within the TV channel, the Assistant Commissioner of Central GST and Central Excise in Thiruvananthapuram issued directives to two prominent private banks, instructing them to recover the outstanding amount owed to the central government by the channel's parent company, Bharat Broadcasting Company. Consequently, Jaihind TV's accounts were frozen, plunging the network into financial uncertainty, according to PTI.

The development comes on the heels of heightened scrutiny surrounding the channel, particularly after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sought details of investments made by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in Jaihind TV, as part of an investigation into a disproportionate assets case against the Congress leader.

Expressing dismay over the sudden move by tax authorities, Jaihind TV's Managing Director B S Shiju described the action as 'unexpected', particularly given that the related case was still pending in the High Court.

Talking to PTI, Shiju said, "This abrupt action is indeed unfortunate and has plunged the channel into a state of crisis."

"We are fully cooperating with the investigating agency in that regard. But unfortunately, after this, we received half a dozen notices from various central government departments and agencies. It is evident that this is a clear case of political vendetta against the Indian National Congress and D K Shivakumar," he said, as per the report.

According to sources from Jaihind TV, the freezing of the accounts is reportedly linked to a 7-year-old case involving service tax arrears, currently being heard by the Kerala High Court.