Press release by BJP National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam

Salient points of BJP National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam’s press conference

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By leveling allegations against the Income Tax Department and the judiciary, Congress leaders are reflecting their frustration

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While Congress failed to adhere to the correct procedures for filing taxes and appealing, various judicial bodies including the CIT, ITAT, and Delhi High Court have consistently upheld the decisions of the Income Tax Department, dismissing Congress's arguments

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Rather than making statements in the media, Congress should follow legal procedures and fulfill their tax obligations. The Delhi High Court has also criticized Congress on this matter

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The Congress party not only delayed in filing returns but also understated their income. In such circumstances, the IT Department is compelled to take action in accordance with the law

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Media statements by Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other Congress leaders lack credibility, as evidenced by the court's rejection of Congress' claims

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A certain family of the Congress party believes that they should be exempt from rules and that special laws should apply to them, which is not feasible in modern India

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BJP National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam addressed a press conference at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi on Friday. During the conference, Syed Zafar Islam emphasized that the Congress party failed to follow the correct procedures for filing taxes or making appeals. Zafar Islam highlighted that authorities, ranging from the Commissioner of Income Tax to The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and even the Delhi High Court, have upheld the actions of the Income Tax Department while dismissing the Congress' arguments. Syed Islam added that instead of engaging in media rhetoric, Congress should adhere to legal processes and fulfill their tax obligations.

Syed Zafar Islam stated that for any registered political party, it is mandatory under the Income Tax Act 13 (A) to file their income tax return every year. However, the Indian National Congress violated the condition and not only delayed the return but also misrepresented the income. Islam conveyed that in such a situation, the Income Tax Department was compelled to take action under the law.

Syed Zafar Islam expressed that Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other Congress leaders who are making statements in the media are far from reality. Consequently, their arguments fail to withstand scrutiny. Syed Islam emphasized that not only did the court reject Congress' arguments but also rebuked the party. Congress has a history of scams and corruption, the party has concealed income and committed tax theft. Zafar Islam underscored that under Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership there is a rule of law in the country and no one is above the law. However, one certain family of the Congress party feels that they should get exemptions in everything and there should be separate laws for them, which is not possible in this country anymore.

BJP’s National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam pointed out that the Income Tax Department found unaccounted cash transactions and unfiled tax returns by Congress during its investigation, based on seized documents. The department also discovered underreported income by Congress. Consequently, the Income Tax Department issued recovery notices to Congress. Syed Islam highlighted that despite receiving multiple notices from the Income Tax Department, Congress ignored them. Initially, Congress appealed to the Commissioner of Income Tax, but their arguments were rejected. Subsequently, Congress approached The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, where they also didn't find relief. Finally, Congress took the matter to the Delhi High Court, which on March 13, 2024, dismissed their petition against the recovery proceedings.

Zafar Islam mentioned that during the investigation, the Income Tax Department found that Congress had violated the law in many financial years. Congress then again approached the Delhi High Court to quash the reassessment proceedings under Section 153C for all seven years, 2014 to 2021. Syed Zafar  Islam mentioned that on March 28, 2024, the Delhi High Court rejected this writ of Congress and allowed the completion of tax reassessment of three financial years under Section 153C. The High Court in its decision admitted that the department had sufficient and solid evidence for further investigation under the IT Act. The High Court found that income worth hundreds of crores of rupees has been hidden.

BJP National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam emphasized that the accusations leveled by Congress leaders against the Income Tax Department and the Court reveal their frustration. Zafar Islam asserted that when individuals fail to comply with the rules by not disclosing their earnings to the institutions or filing tax returns, it prompts inquiries from the authorities. If satisfactory explanations are not provided, necessary actions will follow. While concluding his remarks, BJP National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam noted that whenever Congress faces allegations of fraud, it often invokes democracy to avoid responsibility. Nevertheless, any endeavor by Congress to undermine the country's democracy will be unsuccessful.