AAP files plaint against Goel with ACB for tax evasion

The Aam Aadmi Party has filed a complaint against Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel and his son Siddhant Goel with the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi government alleging tax evasion of around Rs 25 crore by converting a heritage property into a commercial one.

“The Mayor of the North MCD in collusion and connivance with Vijay Goel got exempted from conversion charges of the building in order to give him undue benefit by misusing his power,” alleged Dilip Pandey in his complain.

The Heritage Conversion Committee of the North MCD in its meeting on January 1 this year had decided to allow the use of the building for restaurant, bar, guest rooms, handicrafts shop, jewellery shop etc. “If ACB will not take appropriate action, we will explore other legal options,” added Pandey. 

The property is situated in Gali Anarwali, Dharampura in Old Delhi area, redeveloped and is presently being used as a commercial property.

Pandey also alleged that initially only this building was given the benefits of tax exemption but later on with a view to give it a policy backing, all the heritage buildings of the area were provided tax exemption. According to Pandey the Corporation, which is already facing financial deficit of Rs 2,700 crore provided a benefit of Rs 25 crore to Goel and his son.

Vijay Goel, however, rejected the allegations and released documents of Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRC) meeting in September 2015 chaired by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

“Manish Sisodia who is also chairperson of SRC, proposed several tax exemptions for heritage buildings in the area. All the renovation and commercial activities in the building are as per law,” said Vijay Goel. 

“The heritage havelis/buildings/structures, which while maintaining their heritage character and elements (Facade, layout, designs of windows and doors etc) are put to above listed commercial, office, institutional, retail or residential uses/activities will be exempted 100 per cent from any kind of property tax and conversion charges on the one hand and VAT, luxury tax, entertainment tax, or service tax on the other hand,” said the Incentive and Funding Guidelines of SRC.