I-T raids at properties of Believers Eastern Church over alleged tax evasion
|
Received 1,000 crores from overseas so far
Kochi (Kerala) – The Income Tax Department on 5th November launched simultaneous raids at the offices and residences of those associated with evangelist K P Yohannan’s Believers Eastern Church, in Kerala and other States. The raids were based on specific inputs on alleged tax evasion and Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations conducted by the Thiruvalla-based Church.
The Income Tax team is also conducting a search at the medical college hospital run by the institution at Thiruvalla. The details of the raids were yet to be revealed by the Income Tax department. Unconfirmed reports say the officials have seized cash and some documents.
The Believers Church has earlier courted controversy after the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2017 barred it and three NGOs associated with it from accepting foreign funds. It has been alleged that the Church had received over Rs 1,000 crore in foreign funds over a period of 18 years.