New Delhi: Taking cognizance of a number of complaints from assessees who said they were "coerced" by I-T officials to admit having black money, the CBDT has issued a stern warning to the taxmen asking them to "strictly avoid" indulging in acts which later embarrass the entire department.
The CBDT said any admission of unaccounted money should be done only when there is strong and credible evidence and not under pressure.
"Instances/complaints of undue influence/coercion have come to notice of the CBDT that some assessees were coerced to admit undisclosed income during searches/surveys conducted by the department. It is also seen that many such admissions are retraced in the subsequent proceedings since the same are not backed by credible evidence.
"Such actions defeat the very purpose of search/survey operations as they fail to bring the undisclosed income to tax in a sustainable manner leave alone levy of penalty or launching of prosecution. Further, such actions show the department as a whole and officers concerned in poor light," the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in its latest directive to the I-T department.
CBDT, the apex policy making body of the tax department, has issued the latest order to all Principal Chief Commissioners and heads of investigation and intelligence units of the department.
"...The board (CBDT) has emphasized upon the need to focus on gathering evidences during search/survey and to strictly avoid obtaining admission of undisclosed income under coercion/undue influence," the CBDT said in the directive, accessed by PTI.
