Election Commissioner Lavasa’s wife under I-T dept scanner for the unethical holding of Directorships in 12 companies and tax evasions

At last law catches-up controversial Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa’s wife Novel Singhal Lavasa for unethically becoming an Independent Director in 12 big private companies while her husband was a Government Secretary, who dealt the files of these firms. Mrs. Lavasa is now facing action from the Income Tax seeking information about her Independent Director posts and related tax evasions.

Lavasa’s wife has been issued a notice by the department to explain certain details in her IT Returns (ITR) about holding directorship in about 12 companies. Lavasa’s wife’s unethical activity was first reported by PGurus in May 2019 in detail on how she managed to enter into the Boards of big Groups[1].

Now Mrs. Lavasa must answer to Income Tax and the tax evasion on her part. This may lead to possible action against her husband too as this is nothing but a clear abuse of power by a top bureaucrat.

Ashok Lavasa held power posts as Secretary and Special Secretary of many plum departments such as Environment, Power, Civil Aviation and retired as Finance Secretary in October 2017. His wife was a Manager in State Bank of India and took retirement in 2005 and engaged in IAS wives’ association activities.  Suddenly, in February 2015, she became an Independent Director in Balrampur Chini Mills Limited when her husband was the Secretary, Environment in Government of India. Mrs. Lavasa’s entry to many Boards boomed when her husband came to the Finance Ministry in 2016.

Here are list of companies that appointed Novel Singhal Lavasa as Director from 2015: Welspun Solar Tech Private Limited, Welspun Solar Punjab Private Limited, Balrampur Chini Mills Limited, Welspun Urja Gujarat Private Limited, Omax Autos Limited, Powerlinks Transmission Limited, Welspun Energy Rajasthan Private Limited, Dugar Hydro Power Limited, Dreisatz Mysolar 24 Pvt Limited, Walwhan Wind RJ Ltd, Mi Mysolar 24 Pvt Limited, Walwhan Urja Anjar Limited.

Now Mrs. Lavasa must answer to Income Tax and the tax evasion on her part. This may lead to possible action against her husband too as this is nothing but a clear abuse of power by a top bureaucrat.

The Income Tax officials said that after a preliminary investigation, the tax department has asked her to provide more documents related to her personal finances. The department is looking at the ITRs of Novel Singhal Lavasa to ascertain if her income has escaped assessment in the past or something has been concealed from tax authorities, they said.

The probe into alleged tax evasion and holding of Directorship in multiple firms against the former banker pertains to a time period between 2015-17, they said.

References:

[1] Ethics preaching Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa’s wife became Director of 12 companies when he became Secretary to Govt – May 20, 2019, PGurus.com

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