Income Tax Department Exposes Rs 1200 Crore Tax Evasion Scheme Involving Jagathrakshakan and Saveetha Groups

Massive Income Tax Raids Reveal Staggering Financial Irregularities Linked to DMK MP S Jagathrakshakan and Saveetha Educational Group

In a week-long operation, the Income Tax Department conducted searches at approximately 100 locations associated with DMK Member of Parliament (MP) S Jagathrakshakan and the Saveetha group of educational institutions. The investigations unearthed a web of financial improprieties, including unaccounted fee receipts, fraudulent expenditure claims, and fund diversions. The I-T department revealed its findings in an official statement issued on Wednesday, although the statement did not explicitly name the entities involved.

The raids targeted a range of locations, including educational institutions, distilleries, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and hotels in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. During the operation, tax officials seized various forms of evidence, including loose sheets, hard copies of documents, and digital data.

Among the most significant findings were

• Unaccounted Fee Receipts: The searches brought to light unaccounted fee receipts totaling over 400 crore, as well as a false claim of disbursing scholarships amounting to 25 crore. It was noted that one of the groups utilized the services of agents who received unaccounted commission payments of approximately 25 crore for student recruitment.
• Bogus Expenditure: The investigation uncovered bogus expenditure claims of about 500 crore, purportedly related to the purchase of bottles, flavors, extra-neutral alcohol, and freight charges. Additionally, the I-T department found evidence indicating that checks had been issued to fictitious entities and subsequently converted into cash for undisclosed investments.
• Fund Diversions: Documents seized during the operation revealed that a staggering 300 crore had been diverted from various trusts. This diverted money was used for personal expenses of trustees or channeled into diverse businesses. Notably, payments were made by one of the groups for the acquisition of an industrial entity in Andhra Pradesh.

The tax officials also confiscated unaccounted cash amounting to 32 crore and gold bullion worth 28 crore.

These revelations come as a significant development in the ongoing efforts to crack down on financial irregularities and tax evasion, shedding light on the complexities of financial improprieties in the areas investigated. The operation underscores the importance of stringent financial oversight and compliance to maintain transparency and integrity in financial dealings.