Income Tax department continues raids on BBC, the United States stresses they are unable to pass judegment

Ahmedabad : U.S. officials have acknowledged that they are aware of the survey operation conducted by Indian tax authorities at the BBC office in Delhi in relation to the ongoing “tax evasion” investigations in Mumbai and Delhi, but have stressed that they are unable to pass judgement at this time.

Income Tax Department employees claimed they were conducting a search as part of a probe into possible tax fraud.

“The Indian government’s tax authorities have searched the BBC’s Delhi bureau, and we are aware of this. Sorry, but I can’t give you any more information about this hunt without consulting with Indian authorities. Above and beyond this particular act, I’ll reiterate the overarching point I’ve repeatedly made, not only in this specific but in any specific context: “Ned Price, a spokesman for the State Department, made this statement to the press.

“We believe that a free and independent press is essential in a democratic society. We remain committed to advocating for the universally recognised rights to freedom of expression and religion or belief as a means to bolster democracies everywhere. It’s helped make our democracy stronger. In doing so, it has helped to further entrench democracy in India “What Price Said

He argued that these rights are the cornerstone of democracies everywhere.

If this goes against the values and principles of democracy, as Price was asked, “Not in my opinion. We have all the facts about these searches in front of us, but I can’t pass judgement.” On Tuesday, agents from the Income Tax Department raided the B.B.C.’s bureaus in Delhi and Mumbai.

The sudden decision was made after the network aired a two-part documentary on India and the Gujarat riots of 2002.

Department of Taxation officials have stated that records pertaining to the firm’s global and Indian operations are currently under review.