Income Tax Department Launches Benami Probe in School Job CaseIncome Tax Department Launches Benami Probe in School Job Case Kolkata, July 4: The Income Tax Department has commenced a probe under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition Act) in connection with the multi-crore cash for school job scandal in West Bengal. The investigation focuses primarily on former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and his associate Arpita Mukherjee. The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act aims to prevent financial transactions where property is transferred to one person while the consideration is paid by another. Sources indicate that the I-T department intends to question Arpita Mukherjee, currently held in a correctional facility in Kolkata, as part of this new line of inquiry. The department has filed a petition in a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Kolkata, seeking permission to interrogate Mukherjee. If the court approves, the department will file a similar petition to question Partha Chatterjee, who is also detained in connection with the case. The investigation was initiated after officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) discovered several properties registered under the names of individuals other than Chatterjee and Mukherjee but allegedly purchased using funds belonging to the former minister and his aide. The case is being investigated by three central agencies from distinct perspectives. The CBI is handling the criminal aspects, the ED is pursuing the money laundering angle, and the I-T department is investigating any benami transactions.
Kolkata, July 4: The Income Tax Department has launched a probe under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition Act) in the multi-crore cash for school job case in West Bengal. The focus of the probe is mainly on former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress General Secretary Partha Chatterjee and his close aide Arpita Mukherjee.
The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act prohibits financial transactions in which property is transferred to one person for a consideration paid by another. Sources said the I-T department wants to initiate this new line of investigation by questioning Arpita Mukherjee, who is currently lodged in a correctional home in south Kolkata.
Sources added that the I-T department has filed a petition in a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Kolkata, seeking permission to question her. Depending on the developments, the I-T department officials will file a similar petition to question Partha Chatterjee, who is also in custody in the case.
The fresh move was initiated after the ED and CBI officials investigating the case identified several properties registered in the names of other people but paid for by the former minister and his close aide. Sources said the case is being probed by three central agencies from different angles. While the CBI is investigating the criminal side, the ED is taking the line of money laundering and the I-T department is probing benami transactions.
