I-T teams conducting ‘surveys’ at BBC’s Delhi, Mumbai offices | India News

NEW DELHI: Income Tax department officials are conducting ‘surveys’ at the BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai, reports said.
This comes amid a raging controversy over a BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots. The MEA had criticized the documentary as a propaganda and lacking objectivity.

I-T teams are looking at documents related to the business operations of the company and those related to its Indian arm, officials said.

TV reports said the surveys are being conducted in connection with “international taxation and transfer pricing,” and BBC was notified in advance about the I-T survey.
As part of a survey, the Income Tax department only covers the business premises of a company and does not raid residences and other locations of its promoters or directors.
The documentary, although not banned, was ordered blocked on social media. However there were several private screenings, including at colleges and universities, leading to scuffles with police at some venues.
A petition seeking a complete ban on BBC and BBC India from operating in the country was dismissed in the Supreme Court.

The SC had on February 3 also directed the central government to produce original records relating to its decision to block the BBC documentary.
On January 21, the government had issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial documentary.
(With inputs from agencies)
Watch IT dept conducts searches at BBC office in Delhi