Tax Survey At BBC Offices Triggers Slugfest Between BJP And Oppn, UK 'Monitoring' Situation. Key Points

BBC I-T Survey: The Congress termed the Income Tax action on BBC 'intimidation tactics' while BJP called the UK-based broadcaster the 'most corrupt' organisation.

The Income Tax Department action began at 11 am at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai

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The Income Tax Department on Tuesday conducted a survey operation at the BBC's offices in Delhi and Mumbai to investigate alleged tax evasion just weeks after the broadcaster aired a two-part controversial documentary "India: The Modi Question" on the 2002 Gujarat riots. 

The action sparked a political slugfest between BJP and Opposition parties, with Congress calling it "intimidation tactics" and AAP saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reached the "heights of dictatorship". On the other hand, BJP launched a fierce counterattack, calling BBC the "most corrupt" organisation that has little regard for India's Constitution.

READ | Income Tax Dept Issues Statement On Surveys At BBC Offices In India, Flags Repeated Non-Compliance

Income Tax Survey At BBC Offices: Top Developments

• The Income Tax Department action began at 11 am at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai. Officials clarified that it was a "survey" and not a "raid".
• In a statement, the I-T department said the survey was being carried out to investigate issues related to international taxation and transfer pricing of BBC subsidiary companies and the diversion of profits. It further stated that BBC had been served with notices in the past but was "defiant and non-compliant".
• The I-T department stated that the key focus of these surveys is to "look into manipulation of prices for unauthorised benefits, including tax advantages".
• BBC staff were prevented from leaving or entering their office premises and their mobile phones and other gadgets were seized. BBC has asked all its journalists and employees to work from home till further orders.
• British government sources said the UK was "closely monitoring" the situation even though there was no official statement released.
• The BBC said it was "fully cooperating" with the Income Tax authorities and hoped that the situation would be resolved "as soon as possible".
  
• The Editors Guild of India said the action was a continuation of a "trend" of using government agencies to "intimidate and harass" media outlets critical of the ruling establishment.
• Congress said the tax survey at BBC offices "reeks of desperation and shows that the Modi government is scared of criticism". CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu cited a 2013 tweet and statement by Narendra Modi where he compared the credibility of BBC with that of Doordarshan and said that citizens of India believe more in the news published and telecast by BBC.
• Union Minister Anurag Thakur said no one was above the law and asserted that the Income Tax department conducts surveys from time to time wherever there are some irregularities.
• The two-part BBC series, "India: The Modi Question", was taken down from public platforms last month after the Centre invoked emergency powers under IT Rules. The government slammed the documentary as "hostile propaganda and anti-India garbage".