Karnataka: Income Tax officials search houses of Kannada actors, producers
Searches were also carried out at 32 locations of Saravana Bhavan, Anjappar group, Grand Sweets and Hot Breads in Chennai.
Officials of the Income Tax Department on Thursday searched the houses of Kannada actors Puneeth Rajkumar, Shivrajkumar, Yash and Sudeep, and producers Rockline Venkatesh, Vijay Kiragandhur and CR Manohar, in Bengaluru on Thursday, The News Minute reported.
“We are conducting searches on many members of the Kannada film industry,” an unidentified official department said. “The searches are happening in as many as 25 locations in Bengaluru.” Teams comprising around 200 officials were involved in the searches, according to PTI.
The searches began around 6.30 am on Thursday across locations in Bengaluru. The Income Tax Department is reportedly examining transactions made by the producers and actors. The reason behind the searches are not yet clear.
Karnataka: I-T department is conducting raids at residential premises and other locations of Kannada film producers Vijay Kiragandur, CR Manohar, Puneeth Rajkumar and Rockline Venkatesh. Raids also underway at locations of Kannada film actors Shiva Rajkumar, Yash and Sudeep.
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2019
Puneet Rajkumar and Shivrajkumar are the sons of veteran Kannada actor Rajkumar. Rockline Venkatesh is an actor and producer of over 25 films, including Salman Khan starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
CR Manohar is a Member of Legislative Council and producer of Kannada film The Villain. Kiragandhur was the producer of KGF: Chapter 1, which starred actor Yash.
I-T Department searches Saravana Bhavan, Grand Sweets
The Income Tax Department searched five popular food chains in Tamil Nadu, including the Saravana Bhavan group. Searches were conducted at 32 locations of Saravana Bhavan, Anjappar group, Grand Sweets and Hot Breads in Chennai.
“We have information that these groups have been indulging in large scale tax evasion over the last several years,” an unidentified official told NDTV. “Only after investigation at these places, we would be able to assess.”
Department officials added that a team of over 100 sleuths was conducting searches at the houses and offices of the directors of these food chains.
Saravana Bhavan, founded by P Rajagopal, has outlets in 20 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. The Anjappar group has 70 outlets, including a few outside the country. Bakery chain Hot Breads has branches in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry.
Chennai: Income Tax department conducts raids at offices of Grand Sweets, Hot Breads, Saravana Bhavan and Anjappar group following complaints of tax evasion. pic.twitter.com/hHFz26GXLr
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2019