Phones, laptops seized at BBC offices in Delhi, Mumbai amid tax 'survey'
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New Delhi: Following weeks of intense controversy over the UK broadcaster BBC's documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claims relating to the 2002 Gujarat riots, Income Tax officers arrived at the BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai Tuesday morning for searches.
According to sources, the tax authorities were conducting a "survey" into claims of irregularities in international taxation and transfer pricing involving the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).
The BBC's Delhi headquarters was searched by about 20 tax officers. The production-related BBC Studios in Mumbai were also searched, NDTV reported.
According to the sources, journalists' phones and laptops were confiscated, along with documents. The offices will be sealed for the duration of the survey and employees have been advised not to divulge information to anybody. The phones would be returned, according to tax officials who stated that this was a survey and not a search.
"We needed some clarifications and for that our team is visiting the BBC office and we are carrying out a survey. Our officers have gone to check account books, these are not searches," Income Tax sources asserted.
According to sources, the taxmen requested information about BBC's balance sheet and finances from the finance department.
The two-part BBC television series "India: The Modi Question," which was removed from public platforms last month, made headlines recently. On January 21, the Centre directed the blocking of numerous YouTube videos and tweets containing links to the controversial documentary under the emergency powers granted by the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
Public screenings of the documentary were organised by opposition leaders and students who accused the government of blatant censorship, and students disputed with college administrators and the police at various colleges.
The government, according to the opposition Congress, is targeting the BBC over the documentary critical of Modi.