Income Tax Dept Conducts Raids Against RJD MP Amid Protests Over 'Misuse' Of Central Agencies To Target Oppn

Currently a member of the RJD, Karim was named Rajya Sabha Candidate for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections held in March 2018. 

Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha MP Ahmad Ashfaque Karim

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New Delhi: The Income Tax Department on Wednesday conducted raids at various locations linked to Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha MP Ahmad Ashfaque Karim in Bihar on charges of alleged tax evasion.

The search operation, which started early in the morning, covered more than two dozen premises linked to the MP, including Al-Karim Educational Trust, Patna, Al-Karim University Katihar, and Katihar Medical College.

Currently a member of the RJD, Karim was named Rajya Sabha Candidate for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections held in March 2018. 

As per news agency ANI, the income tax department has credible information on alleged tax evasion by the colleges that are owned by Karim.

Sources have also said the IT officials have information about the donation taken by the college, allegedly in cash against admission to the medical college.

In a separate incident, the Income Tax department also conducted raids on the premises of the owner of Millia Educational Trust in Bihar's Purnea, Kishanganj, and Siwan on Wednesday.

According to news agency IANS, around a hundred sleuths comprising the Income Tax department and Bihar Police conducted the raids from 7 a.m. 

The majority of the places belong to the Trust's owner, Asad Imam. Besides him, the raids were also conducted on the houses and offices of the Trust’s members -- Kaiser Imam, Gulam Hussain, and Mahmood.

Asad Imam is an influential figure in the Seemanchal region who owns Millia Convent School, Millia Institute of Technology, Millia Polytechnic, Millia High School, and Millia Engineering College in Kishanganj district. He also contested the Bihar Legislative Council elections.

Earlier in June, teams of the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at the Begusarai residence of prominent builder Ajay Kumar Singh -- the brother-in-law of Bihar Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary.

Ajay Singh, alias Karu Yadav, also shares a close relationship with JD(U) state president Lalan Singh.