BBC office in delhi being searched by income tax department

New Delhi. The Income Tax Department on Tuesday conducted a 'survey operation' at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai as part of a tax evasion probe. The officers provided this information. The surprise move came weeks after the BBC aired a two-part documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots and India. He said that the department is looking into the documents related to the company's business operations and its Indian unit.

According to a BBC staff, 15 people from the Income Tax Department are carrying out the search operation. As part of a survey, the Income Tax Department only inspects the business premises of the company and does not raid the residences and other places of its promoters or directors. It is being told that the Income Tax Department will soon formally inform about the survey.

Mobile phones of BBC staff seized, prevented from using the system

Sources said that during the investigation mobile phones of all the employees present in the BBC office have been seized. The data of the computer kept in the accounts office is being scrutinised. No employee is allowed to go out and some staff are also being questioned. Employees have been told not to use the system or come to the office. Employees have also been prohibited from using their personal phones.

Congress attacked the center

Meanwhile, the Congress attacked the central government over the Income Tax Department's survey on the BBC office and termed it as an undeclared emergency. The party said, 'First the BBC documentary came, it was banned. Now income tax raid has been done on BBC. Undeclared emergency. Mobile phones of employees were seized.