The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money has been flooded with a large number of complaints from individuals and nongovernment organisations in the past few days following an invitation seeking credible information on those suspected to have stashed away money abroad.
It is learnt that the SIT has received hundreds of complaints of various nature from different parts of the country. On some days, the body received on an average about 100 complaints. A sizable number of complaints were prima facie frivolous in nature, whereas there were also many allegations against individuals, indicating that attempts had been made to fix them.
Nevertheless, the SIT has decided to forward the complaints of serious nature to the enforcement agencies concerned for further investigations. Among the agencies which have been told to pursue the allegations are also the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Enforcement Directorate.
About ten days ago, the SIT got a public notice, through the Revenue Department in the Union Finance Ministry, issued seeking information from the public.
“Persons (individuals, associations, NGOs or any other entity) having specific information about any “resident” of India (individual, Hindu Undivided Family, association of persons, company, trust, body of individuals, firm, etc.) having illegal and/or undisclosed bank accounts/assets located in foreign countries and/or any interest in such assets/accounts in any manner may furnish such information to the SIT,” said the notice, inviting complaints at email address sitrev@nic.in
Information can also be furnished in sealed envelope addressed to Member Secretary, SIT cum-Joint Secretary, Department of Revenue, Room No.46, North Block, New Delhi110001.
Through the same notice, the SIT has also invited suggestions on ways to bring unaccounted money stashed abroad to India.
“The identity of the persons furnishing the said information will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed in any connection. The SIT will not entertain any further correspondence in regard to the information furnished in pursuance of this notice,” said the public notice.
