The Income Tax Department has frozen several bank accounts of the Congress party in Delhi, amounting to 210 crore rupees. This action was taken as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged tax evasion by the party. The IT Department claims that the Congress party has not filed its income tax returns for the financial year 2019-20, and has not disclosed the sources of its income.
The Congress party has strongly denied the allegations and accused the IT Department of acting under political pressure from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress party has also challenged the freezing of its accounts in the Delhi High Court and has sought an interim relief to access its funds. The party has argued that the freezing of its accounts is illegal, arbitrary, and violates its fundamental rights.
The IT Department has defended its action and said that it is based on evidence and due process of law. The department has also said that it has given several notices and reminders to the Congress party to file its returns and explain its income, but the party has failed to comply. The department has also said that the freezing of the accounts is a provisional measure to prevent the party from transferring or withdrawing the funds.
Political Controversy between Congress Party and BJP:
The freezing of the Congress party’s accounts has sparked a political controversy in the country, with the opposition parties accusing the BJP of misusing the IT Department to harass and intimidate its rivals. The BJP has denied the charges and said that the IT Department is an independent and autonomous body that acts according to the law. The BJP has also said that the Congress party should cooperate with the investigation and prove its innocence.
The case is currently pending in the Delhi High Court, and the court has asked the IT Department to file its reply by February 23, 2024. The court has also asked to file its rejoinder by February 26, 2024. The court has said that it will hear the matter on February 28, 2024, and decide whether to grant any interim relief to the party or not.
