Sunam astrologer’s roaring business attracts income tax sleuths
as he predicts future of his clients and gives them solutions to avoid a looming misfortune, he couldn’t do the same for himself!
Income tax officials on Wednesday swooped down at the premises of a leading astrologer in Sunam of Sangrur district for alleged tax evasions. The astrologer has an impressive clientele, including politicians and bureaucrats.
Astrologer Rohit Sharma charges ₹1,100 per session — janampatri reading or palmistry session — on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and ₹500 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. He is the son of Geeta Sharma, a former councillor from Sunam.
“Interestingly, Rohit also has a ‘tatkal scheme’ wherein somebody can jump the queue by paying ₹2,500 for the appointment. The rates have been in effect from July 9, 2016,” said Kultej Singh Bains, additional commissioner of income tax, Sangrur range. The astrologer has also been evading GST, officials said. Rohit Sharma was being quizzed at his office that looks more like a clinic with a waiting hall. The IT officials have seized his laptop and two computers and Rohit claimed he never maintained any books or records of his earnings.
IT officials said astrology services are covered under the GST, but Rohit never paid the same. Officials said Sharma provides services to at least 100 clients per day and gives not more than three minutes to each. “He runs a business by virtue of taking money in lieu of his services and thus liable to pay GST as well as income tax,” said an official.
The quizzing of the astrologer was on till the filing of this report at 8.30pm.