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Modi plays host to IT sleuths

An unofficial London visit by two top officials of the income tax department and subsequent meeting with the disgraced former IPL chief Lalit Modi has sparked a furore in the finance ministry. Millennium Post has learnt that without taking any prior approval from the government or their department, these two income tax intelligence officials went to London and met Modi in a five-star hotel, spending money from their secret fund account. These two key officials are director general of investigation M Silo and commissioner of investigation H V Mahanta, who are otherwise responsible for carrying out major investigations on sensitive matters.

Read follow-up article here: Ministry officials ‘aiding’ Lalit Modi promoted

Interestingly, according to top external intelligence agency RAW sources, a former member of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) was also present in the meeting as Modi's adviser. The income tax department opened a case against Modi almost one and half years ago and was investigating tax evasion and money laundering to the tune of Rs 700 crore.

The lady official Silo and Mahanta went to London on 23-24 January and came back on 27 January. In official records, it was shown as a personal trip. But, sources confirmed that they went and met Modi on 25 and 26 January, and their air travel was sponsored from the investigative wing's secret fund. The investigating wing of the income tax department, after opening Modi's case, sought permission of interrogating him in London almost one and a half years ago. But, that request was turned down by the CBTD as well as the law ministry and the Enforcement Directorate. According to them, any statement recorded in the UK will not have any legal validity under the Indian law. However, for recording statements, such senior officials cannot go do the UK. Generally, this task is carried out by officials of the rank of assistant directors or deputy directors.

Even though the two officials termed it a personal visit, they did not obtain any clearance from their cadre-controlling authority. After every foreign visit, even if it is personal, it is mandatory for all officials of their rank to file their expenses. A senior finance ministry official said that after the recent agreement with the UK, which will came into effect from 15 June this year, the Indian intelligence authorities can record statement of any accused and carry out any investigation in that country. So, this sudden visit, before this agreement comes into force, carries a lot of significance.

Silo is a 1975-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and Mahanta is a  1987-batch IRS officer. These officials are allowed to keep two passports, one for diplomatic purpose and the other for personal visits. And, in this case, they used their personal passports, claims a top finance ministry official.

RAW has also discovered a transaction of eight lakh UK pounds (approximately INR 40 crore), which was transferred from London to another foreign bank account. Top intelligence officials confirm that if they can track the complete details of this transaction, they might reach the bottom of the case.

When Millennium Post contacted the CBDT chairperson Laxman Das on phone, he refused to comment on the issue.


DONE DEAL?

- Two IT officials L Silo and M V Mahanta visit London in Jan 2012
- Meet Lalit Modi in five star hotel
- Meeting attended by former CBDT member
- Visit termed personal, but IT dept paid air fare
- Unusual for officials of this level to visit a foreign country
- Soon after, RAW discovers transaction of £8,00,000
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