The Income Tax Department initiated search and seizure operations in two groups based in several States on 12.10.2021.

The first group is engaged in digital marketing and campaign management wherein the search operations have been carried out at 7 premises located in Bengaluru, Surat, Chandigarh, and Mohali.

Incriminating evidence found reveals that the group has been engaged in obtaining accommodation entries using an entry operator. The entry operator has admitted to have facilitated transfer of cash and unaccounted income of the group through Hawala operators.

Inflation of expenditure and under-reporting of revenue has also been detected. The group has also been found to be indulging in unaccounted cash payments.  It is also found that personal expenses of the directors have been booked as business expenses in the books of accounts. Luxurious vehicles used by the directors and their family members are found to have been purchased in the names of employees and entry provider.

The second group searched is engaged in Solid Waste Management comprising solid waste collection, transportation, processing and disposal services across the country, primarily catering to Indian municipalities.

During the course of the search, various incriminating documents, loose papers and digital evidences have been seized. Evidence found reveals that this group has indulged in booking of bogus bills for expenses and sub-contracts. A preliminary estimate of such bogus expenses booked is to the tune of ₹ 70 crore.

The search action has led to the detection of unaccounted investment in property of about ₹ 7 crore. Apart from this, the search action has resulted in seizure of unaccounted cash of ₹ 1.95 crore and jewellery of ₹ 65 lakh.

Further investigations are in progress in both the groups.

Search and seizure uncover tax-evasion via accommodation entries, hawala transfers and bogus expenses, prompting further investigation. Search and seizure operations of two corporate groups uncovered suspected tax-evasion: the digital marketing group used accommodation entries, hawala-mediated cash transfers, inflated expenditures, under-reported revenue, misclassified personal expenses and purchases of vehicles in others' names; the solid waste management group booked bogus bills and sub-contracts, with detection of unaccounted property and seizure of cash and jewellery, and investigations continue.