The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Tuesday said the power of phone tapping of suspected tax evaders continued to remain with it and there has been no change in the government policy in this regard.
“They (Phone tapping powers) continue to remain with us. The circumstances in which those powers were given to Income Tax (department), there is not even a slightest change in factual background of those circumstances,” CBDT Chairman Sudhir Chandra told reporters here today, when he was asked about media reports that the powers of the Income Tax Department of phone tapping are being withdrawn.
It was the Income Tax Department which conducted the phone tapping of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia. After this episode, Indian companies had raised concerns over the phone tapping powers enjoyed by the Department by dubbing them as infringement of privacy.
“If you say the powers (phone tapping) are being withdrawn, then the question arises then as to why powers were given (to Income Tax Department),” he questioned.
CBDT Chairman Sudhir Chandra was here in connection with inauguration of new building of Income Tax Department here today.
Absolutely justified.
The power should continue with CBTD in the larger interests of the nation. The judicial authorities should not make much fuss, in the name privacy. Few decisions may go wrong; but the power should be with CBTD and other higher investigative agencies.