In a large-scale operation, over 120 officials from the Income Tax (IT) Department are conducting searches at multiple locations across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The raids, which began on December 4, 2024, are targeting suspected irregularities in tax filings and Goods and Services Tax (GST)-related compliance by local businessmen, according to a senior IT official.
Locations Under Scrutiny
The operation, led by an I-T team from Kolkata, spans several key commercial areas in Port Blair, including:
- Church Road, Phoenix Bay, and Marine Hills
- Aberdeen Bazaar and Dilanipur
- Babu Lane and Junglighat
- MG Road and Gurdwara Lane
These locations house offices and establishments believed to be linked to the alleged tax discrepancies.
Coordinated Search Efforts
To ensure the effectiveness of the operation, the team has coordinated with authorities at Veer Savarkar International Airport to prevent individuals under investigation from leaving Port Blair. “We suspect irregularities in filing tax returns and issues related to GST compliance. Findings will be disclosed after the searches conclude,” the official stated.
Objectives of the Operation
The IT Department aims to uncover:
- Discrepancies in income tax returns
- Possible evasion of GST
- Unexplained financial transactions
Nationwide Context
This raid is part of a broader crackdown on tax evasion by the Income Tax Department across India. Such operations aim to strengthen tax compliance, ensure transparency, and deter malpractice in financial reporting.
As the searches continue, all eyes are on the Department’s findings, which are expected to shed light on the extent of the alleged irregularities in the archipelago’s business sector.
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