CWG scam: Income tax raids on BJP leader’s house

NEW DELHI - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and industrialist Sudhanshu Mittal and his nephew Vinay Mittal’s residences were raided on Tuesday by Income Tax (IT) officials in connection with the ongoing Commonwealth Games probe.

Both, Sudhanshu and Vinay, are connected with the Deepali consortium, a supplier of sports equipment, which was awarded the contract for the 2010 CWG.

There was also a raid at CWG Organising Committee member Harish Sharma’s house.

According to sources, the IT raids have been conducted in connection with sports equipment supply to the CWG, especially with regard to the supply of treadmills. It is said the concerned parties evaded tax through false invoicing.

On Monday, income tax officials also visited the offices of the Organising Committee, headed by Suresh Kalmadi. Sources said financial documents linked to the broadcast rights for the Games are being studied for alleged tax evasion.

The channels used to pay the company are also being studied, and members of the Organising Committee are likely to be summoned soon for questioning.

Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided the Games Organising Committee office specifically looking for documents regarding the contract with AM Films and Car Hire during the Queen’s Baton Relay in 2009.

The CBI is particularly looking at files detailing the money transfer to two London-based firms - AM Films and AM Car and Vans - that were hired by the Organising Committee to provide logistical support during the inauguration.

The Enforcement Directorate is already investigating allegations of money laundering against certain Organising Committee officials during the relay inauguration. (ANI)