IT raids on educational & religious institutions in Karnataka

Bangalore, Jul 19: Income Tax department officials today conducted raids on several educational institutions in Bangalore and Gulbarga.

Raids were conducted at the office of Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society, which runs a string of institutions, including medical and engineering colleges across the state, particularly in north Karnataka, official sources said.

The residences of former member of legislative council Sashil G.Namoshi, who is heading the institution, and some members of the Society Committee were also raided, the sources said.

The places raided in Bangalore include Saptagiri College at Hesarghatta and Ambedkar College at DJ Halli, officials said.

Office of the BGS Education trust, run by the powerful Adichunchanagiri Mutt here in whose complex it is located, also came on the radar of IT officials, which drew condemnation from some political leaders.

The raids come at a time when the admission process is on for engineering and medical seats.

IT department said the raids were "routine".

Former Chief Minister and BJP leader D V Sadananda Gowda said he did not understand why religious institutions doing social service were being targetted, adding, it was "not a good sign."

State Congress leader D K Shivakumar also flayed the raid on Adichunchanagiri trust, saying he would take up the issue with the government.

Melukote B?M Gowda of Adichunchanagiri Mutt said:?“A raid was conducted, but we do not know why and cannot comment on it.”

An office on the mutt premises in Vijayanagar was searched. Supporters of the pontiff of the mutt blocked the entry and exit points. People from the Vokkaliga community laid a siege to the building and left only after police intervened, D C Rajappa, DCP (West), said.

Congress MLA?D?K Shivakumar, who is also from the same community, tried to enter the premises, but was prevented from doing so.

'Will take matter to Delhi'

Shivakumar said he would take the matter to Delhi. It was the duty of the government to protect mutts which have done more work than the governments in providing food and education.

The sources said documents and other articles procured during the search are being evaluated, following which the I-T?department will take action under the I-T?Act, 1961.

“The searches are being conducted based on information that some of the institutions are violating the provisions of the I-T Act. At this stage, we cannot ascertain anything. We will evaluate the documents first,” another source said.

Shivaramegowda, chief administrative officer of Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, said:?“We have provided the officials with all the documents they sought, and there is nothing that we fear as the institute is being run in compliance with all rules.”

Anandaa Social and Education Trust, which runs Ambedkar Medical College, and two office-bearers of the Trust were also searched. While there were rumours of some cash being found, no official communication was forthcoming.

Many prominent Vokkaliga leaders, cutting across party affiliations, reacted strongly to the income tax raids on the institution run by Adichunchanagiri mutt.

Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy saw a conspiracy behind the raid. “It has hurt the sentiments of the people. I condemn it,” he said.

BJP legislator C T Ravi said it was unfair to conduct raids on religious institutions which are providing free education and food. “This is nothing short of revenge. What the government has failed to do, mutts have been doing - providing education to children. Why they should be penalised,” he questioned.

In Gulbarga, offices of Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society and the residential premises of its chairman and former MLC?Shashil Namoshi were searched.

Reports said I-T officials from Belgaum, Bangalore and Goa, without any prior intimation to the local I-T?officials, carried out the searches.

The local I-T officials were tight-lipped about the developments. “The raids have taken place without our knowledge,'' a local I-T official said. According to sources, the premises of the society in Raichur and Bangalore were also searched.