Sonu Sood, Taapsee Pannu, Priyanka Chopra: Bollywood celebs who faced Income Tax raids

Bollywood is synonymous with money, fame, and power and celebrities often come under the radar of income tax departments for their lavish lifestyles. Sonu Sood is all over the news after his six premises were surveyed by the IT department on Wednesday and this is not the first time that a B-town actor has faced financial inquiries. From Taapsee Pannu to Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif, here’s a rundown of actors who have been through Income Tax department raids in the past.

The Income Tax department on Wednesday surveyed at least six properties in Mumbai and Lucknow linked to actor Sonu Sood. Although it was not termed as a raid, it was reportedly in connection with an alleged tax evasion probe. The survey comes after the AAP government in Delhi chose Sood as the face for its mentorship initiative. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had taken to his Twitter handle to extend support for the Bollywood actor.

Read also: Sonu Sood's Mumbai office surveyed by Income Tax department

The Income Tax Department conducted multiple raids on properties related to Taapsee Pannu, a talent agency and producer Madhu Mantena and filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Vikas Bahl over alleged tax evasion earlier this year. According to reports, the IT department was searching for properties of Anurag and actor Taapsee in close to 20 locations in Mumbai and Pune.

In 2011, the Income Tax department reportedly raided the residences and offices of Katrina Kaif for suspected tax evasion on income accruing from advertisements, foreign assignments and guest appearances. According to a report in DNA, this came after she reportedly failed to provide the IT department with proper tax details. However, the actress denied stacking any unaccounted/black money in her residence. A celebrity-management company that handled Katrina’s endorsements back then had also come under the scanner.

Along with Katrina Kaif, houses and properties of Priyanka Chopra were also raided by the Income Tax department at the same time in 2011. If reports are to be believed, the authorities found details of hidden income worth Rs 6 crore from Priyanka and other possessions worth Rs 1.5 crore from her father, Dr Ashok Chopra, and her assistant, Chand Mishra, who was also scrutinised by the investigating agency. Their bank account details and financial records, among other documents, were thoroughly checked by them.

Read also: I-T raids Priyanka, greeted by Shahid

In 2012, along with Sonu Sood and Sonu Nigam, Sanjay Dutt’s house was also raided by the Income Tax department owing to his extravagant indulgences. According to an earlier report in Times of India, the actor came under scrutiny for his custom-made wristwatches worth a crores. If reports are anything to go by, just a day before the raid, his wife Maanayata Dutt was seen sporting one watch that cost approximately Rs 55-60 lakh.

Read also: Flashy watches, luxury cars invited IT raids