The United States said it was aware of an investigation by the Income Tax Department at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) offices in New Delhi, but was not in a position to pass any judgment.
A US State Department spokesman said Washington DC was aware of a “search” of the BBC’s offices in Delhi by income tax authorities. He asked the reporter to contact Indian authorities for details of the search. He added that the US supports the importance of a free press around the world. Price said the US continues to emphasize the need for freedom of expression and religion or belief as human rights that contribute to strengthening democracies around the world.
“I couldn’t tell. We are aware of the facts about these searches, but I’m just not in a position to judge,” he said when asked if the searches were against the spirit of democracy.
On Tuesday, the Income Tax department conducted exploratory operations for more than ten hours at the BBC offices in Delhi, Mumbai and two other connected locations as part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion. According to officials, the survey was conducted to examine issues related to international taxation and transfer pricing of the broadcaster’s subsidiaries. Officials claimed the BBC had been “defiant and unresponsive” despite being served notices in the past.
BBC responded to income tax survey
The BBC responded to an income tax survey in its offices. “The Income Tax authorities are currently in the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai and we are fully cooperating. We hope that this situation will be resolved as soon as possible,” the operator said on Twitter.
The probe by the tax authorities has sparked a massive political controversy as it comes days after the BBC aired a documentary, “India: The Modi Question”, depicting events that took place during the 2002 Gujarat riots when Prime Minister Narendra Modi served as the state’s chief minister
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party attacked the BBC, calling it a ‘Bhrasht, Bakwas Corporation (corrupt garbage corporation). The opposition condemned the move and the Congress called it an “undeclared emergency”.
