Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and actor Taapsee Pannu on Wednesday were questioned by Income Tax officials in Pune.The Income Tax Department’s investigation unit conducted searches at premises linked to the two in Mumbai.
According to sources both Kashyap and Taapsee were interrogated for several hours and raids were being conducted till late Wednesday night by the IT officials.
IT Searches took place at 30 locations in Mumbai and Pune, including Phantom Films, which was co-promoted by Anurag Kashyap, producers Vikas Bahl and Madhu Mantena. Talent agencies Exceed Entertainment and KWAN were also searched.
Tax department sources said some inter-linked transactions between the entities searched are under the scanner of the department. The raids are aimed at gathering more evidence to further probe tax evasion allegations against them.
The business transactions of films made under the banner of Phantom Films are also being probed, the sources said. The searches against Mantena are being carried out in context of his links with KWAN, of which he is a co-promoter.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra ruling allies Congress and the NCP on Wednesday criticised the Income Tax raids and termed the action as an attempt to suppress the voices of those who speak against the Modi government and put forth “facts”.
Both Kashyap and Pannu are known to be outspoken about their views on a range of issues.
