Congress Bank Accounts Unfrozen After Tribunal Appeal: Vivek Tankha

Maken revealed that the Income Tax department had frozen the Congress' main bank accounts, including those of the Indian Youth Congress, citing an Income Tax demand of ₹210 crore for the year 2018-19

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In a significant development, Congress leader Vivek Tankha announced on Friday that the party’s bank accounts, which were earlier frozen by the Income Tax authorities, have been unfrozen by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal following an appeal filed by the party.

Tankha, who represented the Congress before the tribunal against the freezing of accounts, stated that the party is now permitted to operate its bank accounts. However, the tribunal is set to reconvene next Wednesday to further deliberate on the matter before reaching a final decision.

Tankha emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting that the Congress’ participation in the upcoming elections could be jeopardized if its accounts remained frozen. His statement comes shortly after Congress treasurer Ajay Maken expressed concerns over the freezing of the party’s main bank accounts, impacting all political activities.

Maken revealed that the Income Tax department had frozen the Congress’ main bank accounts, including those of the Indian Youth Congress, citing an Income Tax demand of ₹210 crore for the year 2018-19, an election year. He attributed the action to a slight delay in filing the Income Tax return for the said year.

The freezing of the accounts, according to Maken, hindered the party’s ability to utilize even the funds received under its crowdfunding scheme. He denounced the move, stating that it posed a threat to democracy in the country.

“This is the first instance in the country’s history where the accounts of the principal opposition party have been frozen by the tax authorities on flimsy grounds, barely two weeks before the announcement of general elections,” Maken remarked during a press conference.

The unfolding situation underscores the delicate balance between political activities and regulatory oversight, raising questions about the implications of such actions on the functioning of political parties in the democratic process. As the tribunal prepares to revisit the matter, all eyes remain on the resolution of this issue ahead of the impending elections.

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