Tax Evasion Scandal Exposed: PAN Card Of Ex-Maharashtra IAS Official’s Son Misused By 300 Companies
Tax Evasion Scandal Exposed: PAN Card Of Ex-Maharashtra IAS Official's Son Misused By 300 Companies
Nearly 300 companies have been implicated in a tax evasion scandal involving the misuse of a PAN card belonging to the son of a former Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. The controversy came to light after a 74-year-old woman filed a complaint at Kothrud Police Station, alleging unauthorized use of her son’s PAN card for tax deductions on house rent allowances.
The complainant, a former senior official herself, disclosed that her son, currently residing and working in the Netherlands, obtained a PAN card in 2011 but had no taxable income in India. Shockingly, it was discovered that since 2011, Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) holders from various companies had been illegally utilizing this PAN card for Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) deductions.
The misuse continued unchecked until 2019 when the PAN card was linked with Aadhaar, prompting the Income Tax Department to issue a notice to the complainant’s son. Investigations revealed that 117 companies misused the PAN card in the financial year 2020-2021, 104 companies in 2021-2022, and 80 companies in 2022-2023, leading to substantial tax evasion amounting to crores.
The police complaint named employees of these companies, along with chartered accountants and an email user allegedly involved in the fraud. It was reported that the companies processed house rent agreements without verifying the authenticity of the PAN cards submitted, solely relying on submitted documents.
Currently, Police Inspector (Crime) is leading the investigation into this intricate case of financial malpractice, highlighting lapses in corporate compliance and regulatory oversight.
