The Income Tax department on Wednesday carried out searches at properties of filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, Madhu Mantena and actor Taapsee Pannu. The I-T searches are in connection with Kashyap’s Phantom Films, which was dissolved in 2018. Searches
are also underway at several locations in Mumbai,
including the properties of Shibhashish Sarkar (CEO Reliance Entertainment), Afsar Zaidi (CEO Exceed),
Vijay Subramaniam (CEO Kwan). Exceed Entertainment and Kwan Entertainment are Mumbai’s popular
celebrity management agencies.
Charges of tax evasion have been brought against
the now-dissolved film production company. Searches,
which began on Wednesday morning, are being
conducted at the offices of these agencies and
residences of the people associated.
Commenting on the ongoing raids, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said the agencies only go after those against whom they have credible information.
“The matter later goes to court,” the Minister said.
Both Anurag and Taapsee are known to be vocal
about their criticism of the government.
