`5.4 cr seized from lockers in Chandni Chowk: I-T

NEW DELHI: Income tax officials seized Rs 5.4 crore more in cash from lockers sealed at a private vault run from Old Delhi area of Chandni Chowk on Wednesday while 100 more lockers are yet to be examined. So far, the total cash seizures from these lockers have exceeded Rs 30 crore.

Sources said summons had been issued to businessmen who have been operating these lockers rented at a private establishment in the wholesale market of the Old Delhi's business hub. Many of the lockers didn't have proper names and addresses, making it difficult for I-T officials to identify the actual beneficiaries.

Searches over the weekend had yielded Rs 25 crore in unaccounted cash by opening 39 lockers till late Monday evening. Between Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, officials reopened five more lockers and seized Rs 5.4 crore in unaccounted money.

Businessmen who have claimed ownership of these lockers have been asked to come with their books of accounts and other documents to justify the cash stash if they are generated through a legitimate business operation.