Karnataka raids: No MP, MLA or minister targeted, says I-T dept

BENGALURU: The Income Tax department on Thursday said that no MP or MLA or minister have so far been covered in the ongoing searches done by its sleuths in Karnataka.
The statement comes in the wake of Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misusing government machinery and the I-T Department by targeting opposition parties and their leaders. The CM was responding to simultaneous search operations by IT sleuths against individuals in southern Karnataka.
The I-T department, till Thursday evening, didn’t identify individuals whose properties were searched.
A communication from the office of the principal chief commissioner of Income Tax, Karnataka & Goa region, said that the income tax department was in the know of of certain statements made by the chief minister of Karnataka. “Certain searches are being carried out by the income tax department in Karnataka, Goa on contractors and connected persons. No MP, MLA or minister have so far been covered in the searches. These searches are being carried out on the basis of credible information received,” the release said.
Responding to another allegation by the CM that I-T sleuths were using CRPF personnel for the raids, the I-T department said, “While it is true that CRPF is being used for providing security, the said Central armed personnel were requisitioned from the State Police (ADGP Law and Order) following normal protocol and have not been flown in outside the state.”