Photo: Collected-
Metropolis Desk-
After more than 58 hours, Indian income tax department’s survey at the BBC offices came to an end on Thursday. After the marathon survey that received criticism, I-T representatives left the Mumbai and Delhi offices. The officials generated an inventory of financial data from some personnel during the three-day study and gathered paper and digital data.
The study was released immediately after India: The Modi Question, a documentary on the Gujarat riots that criticized Narendra Modi’s performance as Gujarat’s then-chief minister, was shown. The survey has sparked a significant political debate, with all political parties denouncing it as an effort by the government to muzzle the media, reports Hindustan Times.
The income tax officials remained put at the premises for the duration of the three-day survey, sleeping there, according to Reuters. According to the agency, some employees were questioned about BBC’s financial operations well into the night. After asking for passcodes and performing checks, officials returned the phones and laptops to their owners.
In a note to staff members, BBC World Service director Liliane Landor instructed them to avoid using any social media sites. The organization would get in touch with personnel after the survey was complete and provide more information, it stated.
Although the government advisor (information and broadcasting ministry) claimed BBC has previously received tax notices but never offered a convincing response, the income tax agency has not yet released a statement regarding the unexpected survey.
Also, it was requested of the employees not to remove any data from their devices while doing the survey. The staff members were given Wednesday off to relax before returning to the inquiry on Thursday.
According to the survey’s findings, the BBC deliberately disregarded the Transfer Pricing Regulations and vastly diverted profits, according to the report.
