A search action was started by the Income Tax Department on 28.10.2020 in the case of a Bijnor based group engaged in real estate business and it’s associates. There were allegations that the group companies were having huge security premium reserves and massive liabilities in the form of loans and advances from related parties/others and other payables, even then they had advanced substantial loans to others. The sales of the group were not commensurate with the loans and advances shown.

During the search unexplained cash of more than ₹ 50 lakh and unexplained jewellery weighing approximately 2.5 kg has been found, so far. The allegations regarding share premium have been found to be correct during the search. They are not commensurate with the income of the concerned shareholders, who could not explain their sources.

During the search, more than 20 companies were found to be running from a single premise out of which many companies are dummy companies and do not show any operations. Companies are not having any worth but are showing significant amounts of share premium. The dummy companies are being used as conduit for layering of funds.

One of the group members has financial interest in one UK based foreign company and one property in London, the sources of investment therein are being examined. Apart from this, incriminating documents relating to investments in many properties have also been recovered from several premises and the same are being investigated. The sources of investment in properties owned by the group are being verified. Hand-written papers relating to certain payments/receipts have also been found during the search and are being examined.

So far 6 bank lockers have been found and further investigations are going on.

Tax search uncovers unexplained assets, dummy companies and alleged fund-layering, prompting investigation into sources of investments. Search operations on a Bijnor-based real estate group revealed unexplained cash and jewellery, corroborated allegations of artificial share premium not supported by shareholders' incomes, and uncovered dummy companies used as conduits for layering of funds; sources of funds for domestic and cross-border investments are under verification.