by Alok Mohit
PATNA: Income Tax (I-T) department sleuths on Thursday searched searches premises linked to a relative of Bihar industry minister Samir Kumar Mahaseth in Patna and some other districts.
Mahaseth, who is a minister in Nitish Kumar-led Mahagatbandhan government from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) quota, was elected as member of Bihar legislative assembly from Madhubani constituency.
Officers said about 20 to 25 I-T department personnel also visited the minister’s home, Shivsahkti Niwas, in the state capital as part of their investigation into alleged tax evasion by his relative.
The team also searched offices of Saakaar Construction Company, located at Son Bhawan on Beerchand Patel Marg in Patna. The owner of the construction company is said to be Mahaseth’s relative.
Confirming the development, Mahaseth said I-T officials visited his house as part of an investigation against a distant relative of his. He also made it clear that neither his premises were searched nor the tax evasion case was related to him.
“The IT officials visited my house and enquired about my relative,” he said, adding that he had not made any investment in Sakar Construction Company. “Let the I-T officials complete their investigation. We are fully cooperating with them,” Mahaseth said.
Mahagatbandhan leaders have accused the the BJP of misusing central investigating agencies. Spokesperson of the Janata Dal (United) Abhisekh Jha told a YouTube channel that the Union government was using central agencies like Income Tax Department, Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate to settle scores with its opponents. “This will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he said.
