Tax evasion: Role of lawyers to be probed

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh commercial tax department, which recently unearthed the multi-crore rupee bogus billing scam, is all set to investigate the role of lawyers, who were responsible for registration of taxpayer identification number (TIN) of the phony companies involved in the racket.

The department has also decided to impose heavy penalties, three to four times of Rs 20 crore evaded in tax. This would mean that the defaulting companies could end up paying over Rs 60 crore, as penalties.

Confirming the move, commercial tax secretary R Vishwakarma told TOI that the firms involved in the scam could not have obtained their TIN registration without involving lawyers. “We would look into the role of these lawyers and if they are found to be in the wrong, strict action would be taken,” he said.