The Income Tax Department raided the offices of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in New Delhi and Mumbai offices on Tuesday, weeks after the broadcaster aired a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the deadly sectarian riots in 2002.
As part of a survey, the Income Tax Department only covers the business premises of a company and does not raid residences and other locations of its promoters or directors. The department is looking at documents related to the business operations of the London headquartered public broadcaster and its Indian arm, they said. The investigation is linked to international taxation issues of BBC subsidiary companies, sources indicated.
The synchronised surprise action began at 11 am with I-T officials reaching the BBC offices in Delhi and in Mumbai. Police sealed off the New Delhi office, which occupies two floors, and half a dozen officers were stationed outside to prevent people from entering or leaving. As news spread, onlookers and media crews were seen outside the BBC office at central Delhi’s Kasturba Gandhi Marg. In Mumbai, the office is in Santa Cruz.
According to reports, the employees of the broadcasting corporation were asked not to use their computer systems and phones, including their personal ones. Reports quoting sources said the employees working in the afternoon shift at the BBC’s Delhi office were asked to work from home, while those present in the office were asked to leave early.
A BBC employee based in New Delhi told AFP that the tax raid was in progress and that officials were “confiscating all phones.”
Another BBC staffer based in Mumbai confirmed the broadcaster’s office in India’s commercial hub was also being raided.
