New Delhi:
The Income Tax department was reprimanded by the Supreme Court today for its slow investigation into alleged tax violations by companies linked to the2G spectrum scam.
The judges said the numbers originally presented by the Income Tax department were "mind-boggling." Underscoring the point, they said, "We have never seen so many zeroes in our life. Not even half of what has been mentioned here except in school mathematics classes".
The investigation began three years ago as a result of a complaint against corporate lobbyist Niira Radia. Her phones were then tapped and the conversations that were recorded played a starring role in unearthing the 2G scam. A Raja, who was then Telecom Minister and is now in jail, allegedly sold licenses and spectrum to companies at throwaway prices.
"The IT department must be quicker. This is not a normal case of tax evasion. It (probe) should have been done fast. These are not ordinary cases to be handled in ordinary way," the Supreme Court judges said today.
They've asked for a complete report on May 13.
Sources say that tax officials are investigating Etisalat, Videocon, Uninor, and Loop for tax evasion. The source of funds for these companies is suspicious, according to officials, and their financial transactions seem deliberately complex.