₹1.37 lakh crore of tax evasion detected over last 3 years

Law enforcement agencies have detected ₹1.37 lakh crore worth of tax evasion, began criminal prosecution in 2814 cases, and have arrested 3,893 people in the last three years, according to a statement by the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

“Concerted and coordinated actions of law enforcement agencies under the Department of Revenue have achieved phenomenal success in fighting the menace of black money during the last three years,” according to the CBDT statement. “The period has witnessed unprecedented enforcement actions in direct and indirect taxes.”

According to the CBDT, it has conducted 23,064 searches or surveys, of which 17,525 were conducted on account of income tax, 2509 for customs, 1913 for central excise, and 1120 for service tax.

“More than ₹1.37 lakh crore of tax evasion has been detected (Income Tax ₹69,434, Customs ₹11,405, Central Excise ₹13,952, Service Tax ₹42,727). Simultaneously, criminal prosecutions were launched in 2814 cases (Income Tax 1966, Customs 526, Central Excise 293, Service Tax 29) and 3893 persons were placed under arrest (Customs 3782, Central Excise 47, Service Tax 64),” according to the CBDT.

The Enforcement Directorate also intensified its anti-money laundering actions, registering 519 cases, conducting 396 searches, making arrests in 79 cases and attaching properties worth ₹14,933 crore.

More than 245 benami transactions have been identified under the Benami prohibition law and properties worth ₹55 crore have been provisionally attached across 124 cases.

“Relevant laws and rules have been streamlined and tightened, plugging the loopholes and strengthening the penal provisions.”