I-T raid at singer Devang, director Govind's residence

More than 40 Income Tax officials on Monday raided offices and residence of leading Gujarati film director Govind Patel in Vadodara and pop singer Devang Patel in Ahmedabad.

According to income tax officials in Vadodara, simultaneous raids were conducted at about seven different places, including the director's offices and residence, at Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Vadodara. An officer requesting anonymity said that raids were conducted after Ahmedabad head office directed the authorities here to conduct the raid.

Official sources said that despite 13 out of 20 films produced by him have earned him massive profit, the producer had failed to show an account of his income.

The official said that the department was working after information was provided about the disproportion in the income of the director who was produced number of Gujarati films. The officer said, "The office and residence of the producer at Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Vadodara have been sealed and more than 40 officers are busy in scrutinising different documents. We have also sealed two bank lockers at Rajkot and one at Borsad."

Another senior level officials at Vadodara office stated that this is for the first time the department has clasped the film director.

The official said, "The director has been producing films at regular intervals and most of his films have made considerable profits. Though, the investigation is in the preliminary stage we are expecting a massive tax evasion."

When asked about the amount of tax evasion the officials said, "We have started investigations today and it would take at least two days time to arrive at any conclusion."

Meanwhile, top sources in the IT department said residence of pop singer Devang Patel, in Goyal Intercity near Drive-in were also raided and incriminating documents were seized. Sources added that despite releasing number of audio cassettes, performing stage shows and other programs, Patel has not filed a single return and no accounts of money was maintained.

It was thus established that it was a deliberate attempt of tax evasion, sources said.

Republished from The Gujarat Age