Vigilance Department Refers Abhay Kant Pathak’s DA Case to IT, ED

Bhubaneswar: In a major development in the Abhay Kant Pathak disproportionate asset case, the Vigilance Department has referred the case to the Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate.

The Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department will probe into the financial transactions of the arrested IFS officer and his son Akash Kumar Pathak under Income Tax Act, 1961 and Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988, and Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

The alleged benami transaction in the case has been referred to the Income Tax department and the probe into suspected money laundering has been handed over to Enforcement Directorate (ED), the vigilance department said.

“In view of cash deposits of Rs 9.48 crore and deposits by transfer and clearing of Rs. 5.29 crore totaling Rs. 14.77 crore made in the three bank accounts of Akash Kumar Pathak and in absence of any income tax returns, there is prima-facie indication of tax evasion”, a statement issued by the State Vigilance said.

‘There is also suspicion of benami transactions and properties’, the statement added.

Earlier today, the Special Vigilance Court, Bhubaneswar granted the police prayer and remanded the disgraced father-son duo of Abhay Kant Pathak and Akash Kumar Pathak to three days in police custody.