New guidelines for IT search operations

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 30. The Finance Ministry has made procedural changes in search operations conducted by the Income Tax Department. While officially it was stated that the changes were made to inculcate ``accountability'' among officers, ministerial- sources said the changes were aimed at curbing malpractice and corruption.

According to sources, a Commissioner of Income Tax, while issuing a search warrant, put down the reasons for ordering the search. It has now been stipulated that the reasons listed for authorising the search should ``match'' the findings of the operations. While this would ensure that the operations were authorised and conducted after receipt of proper information, the ``matching'' of the results with the warrant would ensure that no ``behind-the-scenes settlement'' was undertaken by the search team after the raids were conducted and evidence unearthed.

Another order aims at putting a time ceiling for the settlement of cases once the search operations are undertaken. There have been instances of the IT Department ``sitting'' over the files and documents seized, causing hardship to the person whose premises have been raided.

As per the new instructions, no search party would be allowed to go on a fresh raid till it completed the formalities connected with the earlier one. ``This will ensure a time-bound disposal of search and seizure cases, which will, in turn, ensure that the Department realises its due revenues. The affected party would also be allowed to proceed with his business once he conforms to the penalties and stipulations laid down by the Department,'' the sources added.

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Section  : National
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