DMK complains about HC income tax proceedings on the verge of elections

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Thursday complained to the Madras High Court that the Income Tax authorities had conducted a search and seizure action at the residence of its General Secretary Duraimurgan in 2019, but it was decided to take those assessment proceedings. Party proceedings, and a charitable trust run by the party, on the verge of assembly elections this year.

Appearing before Justice Anita Sumant, Senior Advocate P.K. Wilson questioned the validity of the orders passed by the Income Tax Commissioner (Exemption) this year to transfer tax assessment files to the DMK as well as the DMK Charitable Trust to an Assistant Commissioner in Chennai. The Central Circle, which was already handling files related to Mr. Durimurugan, “to facilitate a coordinated investigation.”

Stating that the search and seizure operation in connection with Mr Durimurugan was carried out when his son Mr Kathir Anand contested from Vellore parliamentary constituency in April 2019, the senior counsel said: “This discovery was made two years ago , But the transfer orders are now being passed only on the eve of assembly elections as DMK is the main opposition party in the state.

The lawyer also wondered how the two unrelated evaluation proceedings could be dealt with simultaneously. “Only because Mr. Durimurugan’s house was raided in connection with Mr. Kathir Anand’s candidacy, could there be a reason for transferring the files of DMK Charitable Trust to the same officer? We are not doing business with Mr. Durai Murugan or Mr. Kathir Anand, ”he told the court, urging it to cancel the transfer orders.

Further, providing an analogy, he said: “It is the same as saying that Wilson is a member of the bar association and since we raided his house, we are also looking at the bar association’s assessment files investigating Wilson’s case.” Will transfer to the officer. ” Alleging complete non-application of mind by the commissioner before passing the transfer order, the counsel said that the officials had also failed to provide acceptable reasons.

“Simply saying that ‘coordinated inquiry’ is not a reason. He said that how the search and seizure of the house of Commissioner Mr. Durimurugan is related to the trust. After listening to him in part, the judge adjourned the case till March 30 for hearing as well as Additional Solicitor General R.K.