IT Department Raids Houses Of Separatist Leader In Kashmir and Delhi
The I-T department conducted raids at four locations in Jammu and Kashmir and three locations in New Delhi. The raids were conducted with the intention of cracking down on illegal funding of separatists in the Valley.
New Delhi, Saturday, March 23, 2019 —
Continuing the government’s crackdown on separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, the Income Tax department carried out raids against separatist organisations and leaders.
The I-T department conducted raids at four locations in Jammu and Kashmir and three locations in New Delhi. The raids were conducted with the intention of cracking down on illegal funding of separatists in the Valley.
Also Read: Mehbooba Mufti Calls Mirwaiz Spiritual Leader As NIA Summons Him For Enquiry
Also Read: Terror Funding Case: NIA Summons Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Naseem Geelani for Enquiry In New Delhi
Credible Evidence Of Undisclosed Financial Transactions
According to sources in the I-T department, the searches have yielded credible evidence of large scale undisclosed financial transactions carried out in the business of quarrying, hotels etc.
The department also said that it had found clinching evidence of huge unaccounted expenditure incurred in cash on the reconstruction and remodelling of the residential premises of tax evaders.
While the government did not disclose the name of the separatist leader or their affiliation, it claimed that the accused leader and their family had never filed any income tax returns.
Also Read: JKLF Separatist Leader Yasin Malik Booked Under Public Safety Act; Shifted To Jammu Jail
Also Read: Government scraps security of Separatists after the horrifying Pulwama Attack
Evidence Shows Wilful Attempt To Tax Evasion
The I-T department has said that the evidence recovered from the raids is ” robust enough to show a deliberate and willful attempt to evade tax”.
Three hard discs have also been found in the probe, which is being analysed by the government. “Three hard disks have also been seized. The analysis of the information contained in the disks is likely to yield even more substantial evidence against the tax evader and his associates. This action is part of a concerted drive to trace illegal sources of funding that have financed the separatist elements and their activities in the Valley,” a spokesperson for the income tax department said.
Also Read: Terror-Funding Case: Special Judge Allows ED to interrogate Geelani’s Son-In-Law
Raids Conducted Against Naeem Khan
According to sources, the raids were conducted against Naeem Khan. Naeem Khan was arrested by the NIA in 2017 for fuelling unrest in Jammu and Kashmir by taking hawala money from Pakistan. Naeem Khan was once a close aide of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
The I-T raids cames as the National Investigation Agency carried out searches at seven locations, including on the premises of separatists like Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, in connection with a case related to funding to terrorist and separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
