India / I-T Dept denies allegations of taking editorial decisions during Dainik Bhaskar raids

New Delhi: The Income Tax Department, which conducted raids against the media group Dainik Bhaskar in multiple cities over alleged tax evasion, on Thursday rubbished allegations that the officials were suggesting changes in stories and taking editorial decisions during their search on offices of a certain publication.

“Certain allegations have appeared in some sections of media that IT Dept officials were suggesting changes in stories &taking editorial decisions during their search on offices of a certain publication. These allegations are absolutely false &are categorically denied by IT Dept,” Income Tax India posted on Twitter.

“In keeping with the Department’s protocol, the Investigation team only looked into the financial transactions of the group related to tax evasion,” Income Tax India said in another tweet.

Income Tax India also countered the claims by Dainik Bhaskar Editor Om Gaur that the raids were an obvious attempt to suppress independent journalism.

“Shri Om Gaur is based in Lucknow as per his interview to media. It is emphasised that Lucknow office of the publication was not searched by the Income Tax team. Sh Om Gaur was not even questioned. The allegations being made have no basis & in fact seem to be highly motivated,” Income Tax India said in a series of tweets.

Amid allegations by the opposition parties over the Income Tax raids on media groups Dainik Bhaskar and Bharat Samachar, the government on Thursday said the agencies do their job independently without any interference.