In a massive operation, the Directorate of Investigation, Income Tax, Mumbai has searched 20 premises all over India covering two shipping agents and one prominent transporter of containers. Of the 20 premises, 17 are in Mumbai, two in Chennai and one in Calcutta.

The department has also got an admission of Rs 8.5 crore of concealed income, the highest this financial year. Fifteen lockers have also been sealed. The raids, which started on Wednesday were suspended for some time on Thursday. The action is likely to be resumed soon.

The shipping agents represent foreign shipping companies and liners and are also service providers to Indian exporters and importers. The transporter also caters to important exporters and importers, I-T sources said.

I-T officers have found evidence of widespread suppression of income and inflation of expenses in both cases, sources said.

Though I-T officers declined to reveal names of those searched, market sources revealed the companies areSai Shipping, Sea Horse Shipping Agencies and STC Movers India.

Rs 1 lakh for motorman assaulted at Kasara

Union Minister of State for Railways Ram Naik today announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs one lakh for injured motorman Chandrabalan Gopalan who lost his right eye when a group of miscreants assaulted him at Kasara on Tuesday night. Naik visited Byculla Railway Hospital to inquire after Balan's condition this morning.

The attack on the motorman had led to widespread unrest among Central Railway motormen culminating in a flash strike the following day. Mohan Rawle, Member of Parliament, also visited Balan today and promised Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia payment. He later requested Naik to increase the amount from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.