I-T prosecution complaints surge nearly three-fold

The tax department on Friday said it has filed prosecution complaints in 2,225 cases during April-November for offences under the Income Tax Act, nearly three-fold jump over the corresponding period a year ago. Besides, 48 persons were convicted for various offences during the said period compared to 13 for the corresponding eight months of 2016, marking an increase of 269 per cent, a finance ministry statement said. Due to the decisive and focused action taken by the department against tax evaders, the number of defaulters convicted by the courts has also registered a sharp increase during the current financial year, the ministry said. “During FY18 (up to the end of November 2017), the Department filed prosecution complaints for various offences in 2,225 cases compared to 784 for the corresponding period in the immediately preceding year, marking an increase of 184 per cent,” the ministry said.