I-T Deptt. detects tax evasion of over Rs. 1,350 crore by a Solar Power Group

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Delhi Unit of the Directorate General of Income-tax (Investigation) had initiated search and seizure action on a Group in NCR, Bhopal, Indore and Goa based on credible information of largescale collection, possession, and movement of unaccounted assets a few weeks back.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had earlier issued a press note pertaining to searches conducted in MP. As some new developments have taken place, a press release was issued on April 23, 2019, pertaining to search and seizure operation carried out in NCR on April 7, 2019, on a leading Solar Power Group connected in the matter.

Some of the significant transactions detected during the search operation include Accommodation entries of Rs 370 crore: During the search, a maze of shell companies used as mere conduits for providing entries to the group were detected. Accommodation entries in the garb of bogus unsecured loans/share application money to the tune of Rs 370 crore have been found.

Bogus billing of Rs 330 crore: Evidence of inflation of expenses through bogus billing to the tune of around Rs 330 crore has been detected in the case of a power plant of the said group. The money so siphoned off was collected in USD through hawala operators.

Unaccounted diary transactions of Rs 240 crore:  A handwritten diary containing records of out of books cash receipts to the tune of around Rs 240 crore was seized from the office of the group. The entries therein have been admitted by the persons concerned.

Bogus loans of Rs 30 crore in a group company: Investigations reveal that a loan entry of Rs 30 crore in one of the group companies was an accommodation entry arranged by an entry operator against equivalent cash.

Over-invoicing of imports and round tripping of Rs 252 crore: During the search, evidence was found indicating that the group grossly over-invoiced its imports from original manufacturers by re-invoicing it through a shell company of a person who is an accused in a major defence scam. The surplus so created was ploughed back in the books as FDI through another shell company of the same person.

Unaccounted foreign investments/expenses: Inquiries reveal that the Group used the services of a Dubai based operator to park unaccounted foreign remittances in overseas jurisdictions. Out of such remittances, approximately Rs 27 crore was paid towards credit card expenses and Rs 72 crore for purchase of a property abroad. Apart from the above, unaccounted payment of Rs 9 crore towards purchase of a property has also been detected. Seizure of unaccounted assets of Rs 3 crore has been made during the search.

The search action was undertaken on the basis of credible information and has led to detection of largescale tax evasion of more than Rs. 1,350 crore, according to a PIB release.