Substantial Rise in Assets of 7 Lok Sabha MPs and 98 MLAs: CBDT

The government said the IT department found huge increase of assets in case of these lawmakers.

The government said the income tax department has inquired into these allegations and “have prima facie found” huge increase of assets in case of these lawmakers and the matter would be probed further.

(Photo: Reuters)

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) told the Supreme Court on Monday that there has been a substantial hike in the assets of seven Lok Sabha MPs and 98 MLAs across the country and "discrepancies" have been found.

The CBDT said it would further probe the issue and place relevant documents relating to the assets of these lawmakers before the apex court in a sealed cover. Adding, that the names of these politicians cannot be revealed and would be given to the court in a sealed cover.

The tax department said they have probed the issue after a PIL was filed by the NGO, Lol Prahari, which sought disclosure of the sources of income by the candidates contesting elections when they filed for nomination.

The government said the income tax department has inquired into these allegations and “have prima facie found” huge increase of assets in case of these lawmakers and the matter would be probed further.

However, the board said verification report by the Director General of Income Tax (Investigation) regarding the affidavits filed by these politicians cannot be provided under the Right to Information (RTI) Act and would be filed in the court in a sealed cover.

The CBDT's affidavit has been filed as the apex court had on September 6 taken strong exception to Centre's "attitude" of not disclosing information on action taken by it against politicians, some of whose assets have seen a massive jump between two elections.

A bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar had directed the government to place the necessary information in this regard before the court.