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Kapil’s Chandigarh house searched
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 20 — Sleuths of the Income Tax Department, accompanied by a team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), conducted raids at the Sector 9 residence of former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev, and hotel and timber business owned by his family in Sector 35 and 26, respectively, on Thursday.

Besides, residences of elder brothers of Kapil were also raided here today. This was a part of the countrywide raids conducted in the homes of cricketers by the Income Tax Department to unearth concealed income, if any, sources said . The raids were conducted directly under the supervision of Director of Investigation, Ludhiana, who reports to the Director of Investigation, Delhi. No local-level officials were involved or informed. Such was the manner of the raids that even senior officials of the local office of the Income Tax Department were not informed. Even the local police was not informed.

The raids started in the morning and continued till the afternoon and beyond. None of the senior officials were ready to comment saying that they had to send details to Delhi. Sources, however, confirmed that land deals and other business deals of Kapil were also scrutinised. Sleuths have also taken away some papers while taking down notings of various items and investments.

In case of former fast bowler, Kapil Dev, the raids started simultaneously in the Sector 35 hotel managed by his brother and the timber unit managed by his second brother. The timber unit was originally owned by Kapil’s father, the late Ram Lal Nikhanj while the hotel was opened in 1983. A team also searched the Sector 9 residence of the fast bowler.

Patiala: A 100-member investigation team of the Income Tax Department today raided the residences and commercial premises of former Test cricketer Navjot Sidhu in the city here.

The team, which mainly belonged to Ludhiana and was assisted by income tax personnel from Jalandhar, Pathankot, Amritsar and Patiala, was led by Deputy Director, Investigation, Mr Bikram Gaur. The raid on the premises of Sidhu, which started in the morning, continued till the evening.

Residents of Yadvindra Colony disclosed that the raiding party arrived at Navjot Sidhu’s residence at eight O’clock in the morning. Sources disclosed that simultaneously raids were also conducted at a new Palatial residence belonging to Sidhu in Century Enclave on the outskirts of the city as well as at showrooms owned by him in the Beant Singh commercial complex in the Chhoti Baradari.

Later, speaking to TNS, Sidhu said: “They were very cordial. No seizures were made.”

Income Tax Commissioner B M Singh when contacted told TNS that the raid was being conducted by the Director, Investigations. He said the core team had come from Ludhiana and was assisted by personnel from Patiala and other cities. He said the team was led by Mr Bikram Gaur. The Commissioner disclosed that Sidhu was in his Yadvindra Colony residence when the raid was conducted. However telephones to the residence revealed that officials were not allowing Sidhu to take any phone.

Mr Gaur when contacted said “everyone knows what is happening”. He, however refused to specify anything saying only his seniors could talk. Director, Investigation Hardeep Kaur when contacted on the telephone in Ludhiana expressed surprise at the news saying she had only heard about it on television.

All three premises raided today have immense real estate value. The Yadvindra Colony is one of the posh colonies in the city. This is Sidhu’s ancestral house built by his father, former Advocate-General, Bhagwant Singh Sidhu. It is a double storey residence on a 1000-square yard plot which has been partly renovated by Sidhu. The house in Century Enclave was purchased by Sidhu a few years earlier. It is built in a 2000-square yard area and has a swimming pool, extensive garden and lawns. Sidhu also bought a 400 square yard house adjacent to his residence and razed it to make an elaborate driveway and create more open space. Sidhu also has two vehicles, including a Toyata Land Cruiser valued at around Rs 40 lakh, and an Opel Astra.

Sources said Sidhu owns four showrooms in the Chhoti Baradari complex which have a real estate value of more than Rs 1 crore. The showrooms are at present vacant. 

The law point
Tribune News Service

Criminal proceedings are generally not launched in such cases due to the high rate of penalty.