Anil Ambani again gets relief over tax evasion matter as I-T seeks more time
The Bombay High Court on Thursday extended till December 19 its earlier order directing the Income Tax department to not take any coercive action against debt-ridden Reliance ADAG group chairman Anil Ambani. Income Tax caught Anil Ambani under Black Money Act for Rs.420 crore tax evasion for undisclosed funds worth more than Rs.814 crore held in two Swiss Bank accounts. Income Tax issued show cause notice to Ambani seeking to prosecute him under the Black Money Act.
The order was extended by a division bench of Justices S V Gangapurwala and S G Dige after the Income Tax department sought more time to file its affidavit in response to Ambani’s petition challenging the notice. When the petition came up for hearing for the first time on September 26, the HC had granted time till November 17 to the tax department to file its affidavit and had asked it to not take any coercive action against Ambani till then. On Thursday, the department sought further time, following which the bench adjourned the matter till December 19. The court also said its earlier order (of no coercive action) would continue till then.
According to the I-T department’s notice, Anil Ambani was an “economic contributor as well as beneficial owner” of a Bahamas-based entity called ‘Diamond Trust‘ and another company called ‘Northern Atlantic Trading Unlimited‘ (NATU) which was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The department alleged Ambani “failed to disclose” these foreign assets in his income tax return (ITR) filings and, hence, contravened provisions of the Black Money Act of 2015.
The total value of the undisclosed funds in the two accounts has been assessed by tax officials at Rs.8,14,27,95,784 (Rs.814 crore) and tax payable on this amount at Rs.4,20,29,04,040 (Rs 420 crore). The Income Tax department issued a notice to Ambani on August 8, 2022, for evading Rs.420 crore in taxes on undisclosed funds worth more than Rs.814 crore held in two Swiss Bank accounts. Ambani, in his petition, claimed the Black Money Act was enacted in 2015 and the transactions are of assessment years 2006-2007 and 2010-2011.
As per the department’s notice, Ambani was liable to be prosecuted under Sections 50 and 51 of the Black Money (undisclosed foreign income and assets) Imposition of Tax Act of 2015, which stipulates a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment with a fine. The department has charged Ambani (63) with “wilful” evasion, saying he “intentionally” did not disclose his foreign bank account details and financial interests to Indian tax authorities.
PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi: A Gujju businessman who does not invest his precious time for a losing battle - April 13, 2024
- NIA arrests two accused Shazib and Taahaa in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe blast case from Kolkata - April 12, 2024
- National Herald scam: Adjudicating Authority upholds Rs.752 crore assets attached by ED - April 11, 2024
Proof that judiciary can be purchased for a price. Different yard sticks for rich & looters.
Nothing surprising. Instructions and order given to keep delaying .
Anil had better not open his mouth. As otherwise the Govt can fall. Ask Swamy. He knows .
Anybody else other than Swamy mocking Modi would be behind bars. Pity he is withholding.