I-T 'Surveys' At BBC Offices End After Three Days

After three days of "searches", the Income Tax authorities have left the offices of BBC in New Delhi and Mumbai, the British public broadcaster said in a statement on February 16, 2023. Officials had earlier said that the surveys were part of a tax evasion investigation.

"We are supporting staff - some of whom have faced lengthy questioning or been required to stay overnight -  and their welfare is our priority. Our output is back to normal and we remain committed to serving our audiences in India and abroad," the broadcaster said in their press statement, adding that they will continue to report "without fear or favour".

According to sources from the BBC, the situation was described as "stressful and disruptive" for their staff. Meanwhile, officials in New Delhi stated that the I-T surveys were being carried out to investigate concerns related to the international taxation and transfer pricing of BBC's subsidiary companies. They alleged that the BBC had received notices in the past, but had been "defiant and non-compliant" and had significantly diverted its profits. Moreover, a report by India Today stated that the taxmen shared a document with the editors of the BBC which stated that they had permission to conduct the survey for three days.

As the news of the I-T surveys came to the fore, some media commentators in the UK expressed shock, while others criticized the timing of the investigation, particularly given India's G20 presidency.  “My view is that it was badly timed given there are G20 meetings, but it was not intentional. Income Tax authorities in India are always peculiar about their procedures,” said Meghnad Desai, leading Indian-origin economist and House of Lords peer.

The 'survey' that had begun on Tuesday morning at 11:30 sparked a sharp political debate with the ruling BJP accusing the BBC of "venomous reporting" and the opposition questioning the timing of the move. The raids also come amidst a political row that kicked off in the country following BBC's controversial documentary 'India: The Modi Question' on Gujarat riots 2022 that has been banned in India.

(With PTI inputs)