Income Tax Raids Multiple Locations In India Against Unrecognised Political Parties

The action is understood to have been taken by the I-T dept on the recommendation of the Election Commission which recently struck off 87 entities from its list of RUPP.

Image used for representational purpose only

The income tax department on Wednesday launched raids in multiple states as part of a tax evasion probe against registered unrecognised political parties (RUPP) and their alleged dubious funding. The searches are being conducted in Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and some other states, they said. A coordinated action has been launched by the tax department against the RUPPs, their linked entities, operators and others, the sources said.

The surprise action is understood to have been taken by the department on the recommendation of the Election Commission (EC) which recently struck off 87 entities from its list of RUPP after they were found non-existent during physical verification.

What Are Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP):

RUPP are either newly registered parties or those that have not secured enough percentage of votes in the assembly or general elections to become a state party. Also, those parties which have never contested elections since being registered are considered unrecognised parties. Such parties don’t enjoy all the benefits extended to the recognised parties.

Rajasthan Minister Under I-T Scanner

Rajasthan minister Rajendra Yadav said the Income Tax department conducted raids on multiple premises belonging to him and his family members. Income tax department sources said the searches are being conducted as part of a tax evasion investigation. The searches are being carried out in the state capital Jaipur and some locations in Uttarakhand.

"The Income Tax department is conducting raids at business premises and residences in Kotputli and Uttarakhand. Reasons are not known," the minister of state for home said. 

Yadav, a Congress MLA from Kotputli constituency, and his family members have a business of packaging material and food products such as flour and pulses.

(PTI Inputs)