“Destroying Press Freedom…”: MK Stalin On BBC Tax “Discovery”

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday criticized the Income Tax department’s ‘survey’ of British public broadcaster BBC’s offices, alleging that the central government was destroying Indian democracy and press freedom.

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu tweeted on Twitter, “Those who misuse people’s mandate and are responsible for destroying Indian democracy and freedom of the press should remember that the people of this country are silently watching you and will fight for the upcoming elections.” I’ll give you a proper lesson.”

He further alleged that the BJP rule at the Center has destroyed institutions like CBI, ED and IT department and they are their last tools used to target political opponents. Their most recent addition to the list is the Income Tax ‘Survey’ on the BBC.

In another tweet, MK Stalin hit out at the BJP-led central government and said, “Transparent and independent institutions are important for any vibrant democracy. However, under the current BJP-led central government, the prestigious institutions of this country have become arbitrary and completely lost their independence.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Income Tax officials had reached the BBC office on KG Marg in the national capital for the survey. The British broadcaster’s office at Kalina Santacruz in Mumbai was also surveyed, sources said, adding that the survey was limited to the BBC’s business premises only.

It is learned that tax officers in the finance department of the BBC offices are verifying some of the account documents.

During the investigation, the mobile phones of all the employees present in the BBC office have been seized by the Income Tax team. The computer data kept in the accounts and finance department was also scanned. According to sources, the officials said that after taking the backup the devices would be returned to their owners.

The searches came weeks after the BBC released a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi – ‘India: The Modi Question’, which sparked controversy On January 21, the Center blocked several YouTube videos sharing links to the controversial BBC and Instructions were issued to block Twitter posts. Documentary on PM Modi The Supreme Court had on February 3 directed the central government to produce the original records relating to its decision to block the BBC documentary.

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