CHANDIGARH: In a crackdown on benami properties allegedly acquired by the controversial
Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS), the
income-tax (I-T) department has issued notices to several Dera followers who had allegedly 'gifted/transferred'
large chunks of land in the Dera's name after the properties were purchased in their names.
In most cases, the properties were alleged to have been purchased in the name of Dera followers and later they 'gave' the Dera general power of attorney for that land. The land was subsequently transferred or gifted in favour of the Dera.
The I-T department initiated action on receiving inputs from the CBI and after corroborating them with other evidence. The income-tax department has complied with the legal requirements and has already taken permission under Section 23 of Prohibition of Benami Property Transaction Act from the concerned authorities.Sources confirmed to TOI that a large number of notices have been issued by the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Income-Tax & Initiating officer (Benami Prohibition), Chandigarh unit in April. All the notices have been issued to the Dera followers residing at the Dera HQ, Shahpur Begu village and adjoining places in Sirsa.
The notices have been issued under Section 24 (1) of the PBPT Act, 1988 asking them to as to why the properties purchased in their names and 'gifted' to the Dera should not be treated as benami.