No MP or MLA or ministers have been covered: IT Dept

None of the MP or MLA or ministers has been covered so far in the ongoing raids done by its sleuths in Karnataka informed the Income Tax department on Thursday.

The report comes in the wake of Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misusing government machinery and the I-T Department by affecting opposition parties and their leaders.

The CM was reacting to simultaneous search actions by IT sleuths against individuals in southern Karnataka. The I-T department didn't identify persons whose possessions were examined till Thursday evening.

A statement from the office of the principal chief commissioner of Income Tax, Karnataka & Goa region, said that the income tax department was aware of certain statements made by the chief minister of Karnataka. "Certain searches are being carried out by the income tax department in Karnataka, Goa on contractors and connected persons. No MP, MLA or minister have so far been covered in the searches. These searches are being carried out on the basis of credible information received," the release said.

Responding to a different accusation by the CM that I-T sleuths were using CRPF personnel for the raids, the I-T department said, "While it is true that CRPF is being used for providing security, the said Central armed personnel were requisitioned from the State Police (ADGP Law and Order) following normal protocol and have not been flown in outside the state."