Nobody talked about I-T raids on Taapsee, Anurag in 2013, why now: FM Sitharaman

In what appears as rhetoric claims in income tax raids at Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu and director Anurag Kashyap's houses, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that it is not the first time that the two have been under scrutiny. She said that same persons were raided in 2013 as well, but nobody had any issue that time while now everyone seems to feel that it is problematic.

She further said it is in national interst to know if tax evasion in taking place. First of all, I am not commenting on any A or B individual. (But) since the names were taken, (I want to say) the very same names were raided in 2013," she said in an interaction with journalists at IWPC (Indian Women's Press Corps).

It "wasn't an issue (in 2013). It's an issue now," she said. "Answer it for the hypocrisy or answer it, saying from then this is happening till now, what's the matter (with now)," she said. "In the national interest, do we want to know if there is some evasion happening."

Interestingly, Pannu and Kashyap who have currently been shooting together have been considered critical of Narendra Modi led Central government.

"I don't know. I am not commenting on a particular case. But if that relates to particular names I want to ask - should we raise questions whether there was a serious omission and commission or should we raise a question about 'oh it's happening now'?" Sitharaman said. "Please look back. It happened in 2013.

Meanwhile, the Tax Department on Thursday said that search and survey operations were carried out in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and Hyderabad.

"During the search, evidence of huge suppression of income by the leading film production house compared to the actual box office collections has been unearthed," it had said, referring to Kashyap's venture. "The company officials have not been able to explain the discrepancy of around ₹300 crore."

"Evidence related to manipulation and under-valuation of share transactions of the production house amongst the film directors and shareholders, having tax implication of about ₹350 crore has been found and is being further investigated," it had said, adding "evidence" of cash receipts by the actor amounting to ₹5 crore had been recovered.