No raids on MP, MLA; clarifies I-T Dept

Income Tax department in a statement clarified that no MP, MLA or Ministers were covered under the searches and said that activities of the department should not be politicised.

Bengaluru: The Income Tax department on Thursday issued clarification regarding the raids stating that no MP, MLA's were covered under the search carried out at Karnataka Minister CS Putturaju's residence.

JD(S) leader Putturaju had claimed that three teams of I-T officials and CRPF personnel carried out raids at his Chinnakurli residence in Mandya.

In a statement, the I-T department said, " Certain searches are being carried out by the income tax department in Karnataka, Goa on contractors and connected persons. No MP, MLA or minister has so far been covered in the searches. These searches are being carried out on the basis of credible information received."

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had said that I-T raids were nothing but "revenge politics by the BJP-led NDA government."

Addressing the allegations raised by the CM, I-T department said," The activities of the income tax department should not be politicised, personalised or trivialised. Income Tax department is committed to carrying out its functions in a professional and fearless manner."

"The department will act on credible information regardless of political affiliations," the statement read.