Surat: The income tax department has claimed to have seized property documents and ‘key’ evidence regarding illegal investment to the tune of Rs 40 crore allegedly made by Surat city BJP vice-president PVS Sarma.
The searches were initiated a day after Sarma, a former senior income tax officer, alleged massive money laundering scam post-demonetisation.
On Friday, the I-T sleuths operated two out of three bank lockers owned by Sarma and his family members and seized cash Rs two lakh and jewellery including gold, diamond and silver valued at Rs 25 lakh. In all, Rs five cash has been recovered from Sarma in the last two days.
Department sources said they have also got some crucial leads on about half a dozen shell companies allegedly operated by Sarma and his associates. Some three persons involved holding posts of directors in these companies were called for questioning at the I-T office on Friday.
During the search at other locations of the Sarma’s associates, the I-T department seized 1.5 kilogram gold, Rs 59 lakh in cash , fixed deposit documents of Rs 40 lakh and Rs 63 lakh worth of jewellery
The department has gathered documents related to Sarma and Kalamandir Jewellers whom he has accused of scam and posted the related I-T settlement commission’s documents.
The search operation at 12 locations out of the total 14 locations in Surat, Mumbai and Thane is completed.
Sources said that the department has seized the property documents related to 18 residential plots owned by Sarma and his family members in Unn area. The valuation is yet to be ascertained.