36 mins ago
Congress Seeks Probe into ₹1,700 Crore Donations to Gujarat Parties
Ajay Rai has asked tax officials to investigate large donations received by six political parties in Gujarat.
He said the parties were not recognised political parties.
A BBC Hindi report cited in his letter said they received about ₹1,700 crore in 2023-24.
Together, the parties reportedly put forward only 15 candidates in Uttar Pradesh’s Lok Sabha elections.
Rai wants officials to find out who gave the money and who ultimately controlled it.
He also wants them to check whether money moved through several bank accounts or involved cash, hawala or cross-border transactions.
He asked the Income Tax Department to work with other agencies and the Election Commission.
If illegal activity is found, he said action should be taken under the money-laundering law.
Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai sought an Income Tax Department investigation into donations received by six unrecognised Gujarat-based political parties.
A BBC Hindi report cited in Rai’s letter said the parties received approximately ₹1,700 crore during the 2023-24 financial year.
The six parties reportedly fielded a combined 15 candidates in Uttar Pradesh during the Lok Sabha elections.
Reported donations ranged from approximately ₹138 crore to ₹620 crore, with the Aam Janmat Party receiving the largest amount.
Rai urged agencies to trace donors, beneficial owners and fund flows, and consider action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act if offences were established.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai requested the investigation; the six named unrecognised political parties are the subject of the allegations.
- What
- Rai demanded a probe into the sources, donors, controllers and movement of approximately ₹1,700 crore received by six Gujarat-based unrecognised parties.
- Where
- The six parties are registered in Gujarat, while they reportedly fielded candidates in Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The reported donations were received during the 2023-24 financial year; Rai also referred to monitoring ahead of upcoming Assembly elections.
- Why
- Rai said the donations appeared suspicious and that authorities should establish the money trail and investigate possible illegal transactions.
Key facts
- Reported total donations
- Approximately ₹1,700 crore during 2023-24
- Parties involved
- Six unrecognised political parties registered in Gujarat
- Reported candidates
- The parties fielded 15 candidates in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha elections
- Largest reported recipient
- Aam Janmat Party, approximately ₹620 crore
- Smallest reported recipient
- Garib Kalyan Party, approximately ₹138 crore
- Investigation requested from
- Rahul Naveen, Director of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Income Tax Department
- Potential legal action
- Action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act if a scheduled offence and proceeds of crime were established
Sources
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