“IT dept froze our account in seven-year-old case”: Congress’ Ajay Maken lashes out over frozen bank accounts

New Delhi [India], March 21 (ANI): Congress leader Ajay Maken on Thursday said that efforts are being made to weaken the Congress financially and this is not just an attack on accounts of the Congress party by the Narendra Modi government but also an attack on democracy in India.

Addressing a press conference here today, Maken said that they have to do publicity for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections but their accounts are frozen.

“Efforts are being made to weaken Congress financially. This is not just an attack on accounts of the Congress party by the Narendra Modi government but also an attack on democracy in India. The election date has come and we are not able to use Rs 285 crore lying in our bank. For publicity, we have to book slots in newspapers and electronic media, we have to get posters printed. If we are not able to do even this work, then how will democracy survive?” he said.

Further, Ajay Maken pointed out that the party was served notice in a case older than seven years.

“After 7 years, the Income Tax Department has now frozen our bank accounts regarding a case of 2017-18. Notice has come last week from Sitaram Kesari era. The assessment notice of 1994-95 is now in front of us. We will be harassed regarding this in future also,” he added.

“We have three things to say. Every political party is exempt from income tax. If no one ever gave a penalty, then why is it so with Congress?” Maken asked.

The Congress leader also questioned the timing of the notices is just one month before the announcement of elections.

“Third, see the quantum of punishment–how big a punishment is being given. The Quantum of punishment is such that for a .07 per cent discrepancy 106 per cent penalty is imposed on Congress. Only a penalty of Rs 10,000 can be charged under the Income Tax Act. For the last month we have not been able to use our money,” he added.

Earlier on March 8, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) dismissed the plea moved by the Congress Party which sought a stay against Income Tax Department proceedings of recovery and freezing of their Bank accounts and said the Stay Application is without merit.

In the complaint, Congress had said the Income Tax Department has enforced its law by encashing some of the balances lying with the banks without waiting for the outcome of the hearing scheduled before the bench. Congress appealed that the department should not proceed further till the disposal of the stay application.