I-T has withdrawn ₹65 crore from banks 'undemocratically', alleges Congress

Congress alleges undemocratic withdrawal of ₹65 crore by IT department, raising concerns over democracy in India.

The Congress on Feb. 21 alleged that the Income Tax department has “withdrawn” a sum of ₹65 crore from its accounts in different banks “undemocratically” even when the case pertaining to their return for previous years is sub judice.

Party treasurer Ajay Maken has claimed that “democracy will be over if the action of probe agencies goes unchecked” and said the Congress has full faith in the judiciary.

“The Income Tax department had written to various banks to withdraw a sum of ₹65 crore from different bank accounts of the Congress and Indian Youth Congress in view of the demand raised by the Income Tax authorities earlier, despite the appellate authorities hearing the case,” Mr. Maken told PTI.

He said even when the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, which the Congress had moved against the Income Tax department’s claim of ₹210 crore as recovery for “discrepancies” in previous tax returns has been stayed and a lien has been marked, the tax authorities have resorted to “undemocratic action” by taking out the amount from their accounts.

The Congress leader said the party had written to its bankers not to withdraw any amount as the case was sub judice and hearing in the case before the I-T Tribunal was still on.

“Alarming Update: Concerns rise over the actions of Central Government agencies, potentially threatening the multi-party system in India. If unchecked, democracy in India will be over.

“Without intervention of judiciary, our democratic principles will be endangered,” Mr. Maken said in a post on X.