Tax officers’ body seeks apology from Gadkari

Even as the apex body of income-tax officers on Sunday demanded an apology from Nitin Gadkari for his alleged threat to the department's officials, the former BJP president said he had "no ill will" against them and they were free to conduct inquiries.

"The I-T department and its officials are free to conduct any independent inquiry in response to complaints received against any company or individuals," Gadkari said in a statement underlining that he had "no ill will" against officials "engaged in open inquiries in the affairs of the companies which are alleged to have invested in the Purti Group".

He, however, maintained that he had "reasons to believe that unnecessary dragging my name in the context of these inquires is part of a conspiracy to defame me and my party".

But, he sought to claim that his remarks were "distorted" and he did not threaten the I-T officials inquiring into Purti affairs. "I never threatened the I-T department or its officials. I have full faith in the professional integrity of the department. Unfortunately, my public statements have been distorted and misinterpreted."

The officers' body said in its resolution issued on Sunday, "The IRS Association (all-India body) has noted with deep concern and shock the news item appearing in the national dailies regarding the alleged threat issued by Shri Nitin Gadkari to the officers of the Income-Tax department investigating the case of suspected tax-evasion by certain companies."

The association condemned the use of "such intemperate language by a politician of national stature with intention to thwart the rule of law and demands an unconditional apology from him".

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