Sonu Sood’s tax evasion: Sonu Sood writes letter after IT department alleged Rs 20 cr tax evasion, says time will tell his side of the story

Bollywood Sonu Sood was subjected to the computer scanner last week as part of an investigation for alleged tax evasion.

On Saturday, the Central Commission for Direct Taxes (CBDT) alleged that the actor and his associates escaped the 20 crore rupee tax after the income tax department raided him along with a Lucknow-based infrastructure group. He also accused Sood of violating the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) while collecting donations from abroad.

On Monday morning, the actor-turned-Messiah cleared the air in an open letter to fans on social media.

The “Dabangg” actor said he didn’t have to tell his side of the story because time will do it for him. “I have committed myself to the service of the Indian people with all my strength and with all my heart,” he wrote.

In a detailed note, the 48-year-old actor clarified that “every rupee” of his foundation has been set aside for the needy or to save a life.

Sood also shared that he has repeatedly urged brands to donate his sponsorship fees to humanitarian causes.

Justifying the reason for his absence from social media in recent days, Sood said he was busy taking care of a few guests. “Here I am back in all humility. At your humble service for life. My journey continues”, he concluded his message.

The CBDT discovered on Saturday that the 48-year-old actor had funneled his “unrecorded income in the form of bogus unsecured loans from many bogus entities.”

The department launched an investigation against the actor and the Lucknow-based industry group involved in the infrastructure sector on September 15 and the CBDT said the action was continuing.

She added that, so far, 20 of these scriptures have been found to be used, and the vendors, upon examination, have “accepted” under oath of having given “false” hosting scriptures (scriptures from transaction in the accounts).

“They have agreed to issue checks instead of cash. There have been cases where business receipts have been disguised as loans in the books of accounts for the purpose of tax evasion,” the governing body said. of the tax department.

These bogus loans, he said, were used to “make investments and acquire property.”

The total amount of evaded taxes discovered so far is over Rs 20 crore, according to the statement and official sources about Sood.

He also spoke about his charity which was created during the COVID-19 outbreak last year.

The actor rose to national significance after organizing free rail, air and road transport for many migrant workers to reach their home countries during the nationwide lockdown imposed last year to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .

The Delhi government, headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also recently declared that Sood would be the brand ambassador for the Aam Aadmi party government’s “Desh ka mentors” program, in which students will be guided through their career choices.

The CBDT said the charitable foundation created by the actor was incorporated on July 21, 2020 and has raised donations of Rs 18.94 crore from April 1, 2021 to date.

Of that amount, he said, the foundation spent around 1.9 crore rupees on various relief works and the balance of 17 crore rupees was found “unused” in his bank account.

It is seen, according to the statement, that funds to the tune of Rs 2.1 crore were also collected by the charitable foundation from foreign donors on a crowdfunding platform “in violation” of FCRA regulations.

He said the actor had entered into a joint venture with the Lucknow-based infrastructure group and “invested substantial funds”, and said the tax authorities had uncovered “incriminating” evidence regarding tax evasion and tax evasion. irregularities in the books of account.

(With PTI entries)