After the recuperation of Rs 65 crores from the Indian National Congress account by the income tax department, the Congress persues legal action by approaching Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). This happens in the midst of dispute over outstanding tax dues with an aggregate Rs 115 crores. However, the income tax department recovered Rs 65 crore from the Congress account on Tuesday.
Expressing the need for checks and balances to abolish unchecked actions by probe agencies, party treasurer Ajay Maken expressed concern over the situation. He instead repeated the trust of the party in the judiciary.
On X, Ajay Maken stated, “The income tax department instructed banks to transfer over Rs 65 crore from @INCIndia, IYC, and NSUI accounts to the government on Tuesday.” Underlining the inconsistency in the treatment compared to other political parties, Maken asked about the equity of the demand.
The Congress has contested the income tax department’s claim of Rs 210 crore, arguing that variances in previous tax returns have been challenged and that the matter is sub juice till now. In spite of this, the tax officials progressed with what the party names as undemocratic action by withdrawing funds from their accounts. With the hearing set to progress yesterday, the proceedings which are going on before the ITAT signal a tense standoff between the Congress and the income tax officials because the party wants a solution to the Conflict.