Categories: Entertainment

Indian tax officials are investigating BBC after it aired a Modi documentary

Image: Henry Nicholls (Reuters)

Indian income tax officials today (Feb. 14) visited BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai to reportedly probe allegations of tax evasion. This came less than a month after the UK’s national broadcaster released a two-part documentary that looked into prime minister Narendra Modi’s alleged involvement in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

A team of 20 officials searched the BBC’s office in Delhi and its production arm, BBC Studios, in Mumbai, PTI reported.

“Documents were seized and phones and laptops of journalists were taken away…The offices will be sealed for the duration of the survey and employees have been asked not to share details with anyone,” the news agency reported citing unnamed sources.

The income tax department of India’s finance ministry has called the move a “survey.” Unnamed tax officials told PTI that they were seeking “some clarifications and for that our team is visiting BBC office and we are carrying out a survey…Our officers have gone to check account books, these are not searches.”

The controversy around the BBC

Last month, the Modi government took down the documentary from public platforms using its emergency powers under the Information Technology Rules, 2021. It also directed the blocking of multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the series.

G/O Media may get a commission

33% off

Sobro Smart Coffee Table

The coffee table of the future.
It’s a coffee table with a fridge, high-quality Bluetooth speaker, LED lights, and plenty of outlets to spare.

BBC released the first part of India: The Modi Question on Jan. 17, and it was made available across the world, including India. However, its second episode, released on Jan. 24, was made available only in the UK through its online streaming service BBC iPlayer.

The documentary revealed that a UK government report had viewed the 2002 Gujarat riots as having “all the hallmarks of an ethnic cleansing”. It also concluded that Modi was “directly responsible for a climate of impunity” that led to extreme events.

The official death toll in the 2002 riots was 1,125. Of which 863 were Muslims. Modi has often dismissed allegations of failing to stop the riots. In June 2022, the Supreme Court of India acquitted Modi of all charges in connection with the violence.

Following the release of the documentary, some organizations supporting the government have approached the courts seeking a ban on the BBC.

Read More

Greg Aftayev

Greg Aftayev is a Journalist at Flaunt Weekly Covering Tech News.

Recent Posts

‘His death is a great loss’ – President Higgins pays touching tribute to Irish music star’s father after tragic passing

Flaunt Weeekly PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to the father of a member…

4 hours ago

Hozier Plays the Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” on Saturday Night Live: Watch

Flaunt Weeekly Hozier returned to Saturday Night Live for the NBC program’s final pre-Christmas episode…

5 hours ago

Our Favourite Queer Artists Made Billboard’s 2024 Top Pop Stars List

Flaunt Weeekly Chappell Roan, Charli xcx and Billie Eilish have all made Billboard’s 10 Greatest…

5 hours ago

Vale James Simpson: Tributes Flow For Musician After Tragic Death

Flaunt Weeekly The Australian music and theatre industry is in mourning this weekend following the…

5 hours ago

Salman Khan starrer Sikandar to mark debut of Kalki 2898 AD composer Santosh Narayanan: Reports

Flaunt Weeekly Santhosh Narayanan, renowned for his music compositions in South Indian cinema, is set…

5 hours ago

Hozier Brings Christmas Vibes to ‘Saturday Night Live’ With Emotional Performance and Changed Lyrics to ‘Fairytale of New York’

Flaunt Weeekly Hozier was the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live‘s” Christmas edition Saturday night,…

7 hours ago