Senior Advocate Vivek Tamkha, representing Congress party, requested a 10-day abeyance of the order so that the Indian National Congress (INC) could appeal to the High Court. However, the bench declined, citing the absence of such provisions or prayers before it.
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has rejected the Congress party’s plea for a stay on the Income-Tax department’s actions against its bank accounts ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This move by the Income Tax Department involves initiating proceedings for recovery and freezing of the congress party’s bank accounts due to penalties related to previous I-T returns.
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Vivek Tamkha, representing Congress party, requested a 10-day abeyance of the order so that the Indian National Congress (INC) could appeal to the High Court. However, the bench declined, citing the absence of such provisions or prayers before it.
In response to the ITAT’s decision, senior Congress party leader Ajay Maken stated that the party is exploring legal avenues and will approach the high court against the order.
Back in February, Congress had accused the Income-Tax department of freezing its bank accounts, condemning the action as an attack on democracy. Allegations were made that the Income Tax department demanded a recovery of ₹210 crore from the Youth Congress and Congress.
Speaking at a press conference, Ajay Maken expressed concern, “We were informed that our cheques were not being honored by banks. Upon investigation, we found out that the bank accounts of the Youth Congress had been frozen. Similarly, the accounts of the Congress party have also been seized.”
“The Income Tax department demanded ₹210 crore in recovery from the Youth Congress and Congress. Our crowdfunding funds in these accounts have been frozen. The timing, just two weeks before elections, when the accounts of the opposition are frozen, feels like a freeze on democracy,” he added.
Congress labeled the tax demand as “politically motivated” while criticizing the BJP-led Union Government for alleged misuse of central agencies. The party accused the government of engaging in what they termed “financial terrorism,” claiming it to be an attempt to “cripple” the primary Opposition party ahead of the 2024 general elections.
To Access the CBDT Circular 4/2024 Dated 8 March 2024 CLICK HERE
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