Taxmen unearth 400 benami deals

New Delhi: In a major crackdown on benami deals across country,  taxmen has attached 240 properties worth Rs 600 crore under the new Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016.

The Income-tax Directorates of Investigation has identified more than 400 benami transactions upto 23 May, 2017 under the act. These include deposits in bank accounts, plots of land, flat and jewellery.

Also IT department has carried out searches on 10 senior government officials in last one month, keeping in view Modi government's policy to unearth black money earned through corrupt practices and introduce accountability and probity in public life.

I-T department on Wednesday also conducted searches in UP and Delhi on premises of four UP-based bureaucrats, including two IAS officers, in connection with its probe against them on charges of tax evasion. “Immovable properties have been attached in 40 cases with total value of more than Rs 530 crore in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act,” officials said.  

In one case in Jabalpur, the benamidar, a driver, was found to be owner of land worth Rs 7.7 crore. The beneficial owner is a Madhya Pradesh based listed company, his employer. In Mumbai a professional was found to be holding several immovable properties in the name of shell companies which exist only on paper.

In another case in Sanganer, Rajasthan a jeweller was found to be beneficial owner of nine immovable properties in the name of his former staff, a man of no means.

Certain properties purchased through shell firms have also been attached by the I-T department in Kolkata. “The government is keen to implement the new Benami Act in an effective manner with visible outcomes on the ground,” finance ministry said.