First day first attack… I-T department serves notice on AAP, Congress

The notice refers to the allegations from a break-away group, AVAM, that AAP had received funding from dubious companies in March last year.
The Income-Tax Department has served notices on the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party seeking information on the identity of contributors who are suspected to be non-genuine.
The notices were issued on Monday, a day before the Delhi Assembly election results were declared.
The department said the notices were issued as part of the probe against companies suspected to be involved in money-laundering.
“Recently in Kolkata, the investigation led to detection of substantial unaccounted income. In these cases, unaccounted income was sought to be converted into legitimate money with the help of non-genuine companies,” said I-T Department spokesperson Rekha Shukla.
Ms. Shukla said based on media reports, an enquiry was initiated in Delhi into issuance of cheques by “non-genuine” companies, which could not be traced by the IT Department. Their directors also allegedly could not be traced at the addresses given to banks and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
An examination of the companies’ accounts revealed that they had allegedly issued cheques to several persons and entities for substantial amounts.
It was also found that sources for such entries were prima facie not genuine. To carry forward the investigation process, notices were issued to about 50 persons and entities, including two political parties on February 9,” said Ms. Shukla.
In the run-up to Delhi elections, one AAP Volunteer Action Manch alleged that the AAP had received donations of Rs.50 lakh each from four dubious companies.
AAP spokesperson Atishi Marlena told the media, “We are open for any probe by the Income Tax department or the Enforcement Directorate.” Acknowledging that the Congress had received a cheque for Rs.10 lakh in donation from a company last November, a party leader said the firm had submitted a cover letter giving all its details, including PAN number.