Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Income Tax Department Searches Prime Focus Offices in Mumbai
Tax officials reportedly searched offices belonging to Prime Focus in Mumbai on Wednesday.
They also reportedly searched other places connected to company head Namit Malhotra.
The officials are looking at financial papers and transactions.
Reports say they are checking possible tax issues and money transfers overseas, but no one has publicly explained exactly which transactions are being investigated.
The searches came after other tax searches connected to the film industry in September.
Officials have not confirmed whether the two sets of searches are part of the same case.
Prime Focus shares reportedly fell about 8% after the news.
Prime Focus is also involved in making the film Ramayana.
The Income Tax Department reportedly searched Prime Focus offices in Mumbai on Wednesday and other locations linked to Namit Malhotra.
Reports say officials examined financial records and documents, including at premises associated with the company’s chartered accountant.
The inquiry is reportedly examining transactions involving alleged tax evasion, financial irregularities and overseas fund transfers; authorities have not disclosed the specific transactions.
The searches followed Income Tax operations in late September involving other film-industry-linked locations, but officials have not confirmed the Prime Focus searches are part of the same investigation.
Prime Focus shares reportedly fell about 8% after news of the searches; the company is also connected to the upcoming film Ramayana.
- Who
- India’s Income Tax Department and Prime Focus Ltd, headed by Namit Malhotra.
- What
- Reported searches at Prime Focus offices and other associated locations, with officials examining financial records and documents.
- When
- Wednesday; the articles do not provide the specific date for the Prime Focus searches.
- Where
- Mumbai, India, including Prime Focus offices and other locations reportedly associated with Namit Malhotra and the company’s chartered accountant.
- Why
- Reports say investigators are examining financial transactions, including alleged tax evasion, irregularities and overseas fund transfers; the specific scope has not been disclosed.
Investigation reports
Company and official disclosures
Nature of the inquiry
Investigation reports
Media reports say the searches concern suspected tax evasion, financial irregularities and overseas transfers of funds.
Company and official disclosures
The specific transactions and broader scope have not been publicly disclosed, and no official statement has established that Prime Focus committed wrongdoing.
Connection to earlier searches
Investigation reports
Some reports say the Prime Focus searches may relate to evidence recovered in earlier Income Tax operations.
Company and official disclosures
There is no official confirmation that the Prime Focus searches are part of the same investigation as the late-September searches.
- Company
- Prime Focus Ltd, a media and entertainment company headed by Namit Malhotra
- Reported search locations
- Prime Focus offices in Mumbai and other locations reportedly linked to Namit Malhotra and the company’s chartered accountant
- Reported inquiry
- Financial records and transactions, including alleged tax evasion, irregularities and overseas fund transfers
- Official disclosure
- No detailed public statement has disclosed the specific transactions under investigation
- Earlier searches
- Income Tax searches took place at locations linked to film-industry figures and companies in late September; a connection to the Prime Focus searches has not been officially confirmed
- Reported share movement
- Prime Focus shares fell around 8% after news of the searches emerged
- Film connection
- Prime Focus Studios is behind Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra
