New Delhi, May 5
Even as the CBI is tightening its noose on former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and his family members in the “disproportionate assets” case, there could be more trouble for Chautalas in the days to come if the Income Tax Department initiates a probe into the possible “tax evasion angle”.

According to sources, the Income Tax Department can take suo motu cognisance of the revelations made by the CBI in the “disproportionate assets” case and probe into any possible evasion of tax by the Chautalas.

Meanwhile, CBI sources said the investigators were still making an elaborate assessment of the various “disproportionate assets” detected by the agency during its raids in 24 places of Chautalas spread across six states and union territories yesterday.

“If need be, the CBI could take the help of the Income Tax Department,” an agency source told The Tribune.

Significantly, while the CBI FIR has put the value of the properties of Chautalas detected by it at Rs 1,467 crore, Mr Ajay Chautala, the elder son of Om Prakash Chautala, in his affidavit (dated June 17, 2004) submitted before the Returning Officer for election to Rajya Sabha had declared assets worth Rs 7,90,10,113 in his name and in the names of his wife and minor sons.

Mr Abhay Chautala, the younger son of the former Chief Minister, had in his affidavit (dated April 21, 2004) submitted to the Returning Officer for election to the Lok Sabha had declared assets worth Rs 4,37,14,844 in his name and in the name of his wife and minor sons.

Meanwhile, the CBI appears to have found to be handy, the “Memorandum of Chargesheet” against Om Prakash Chautala submitted by the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee to the state Governor ahead of the Assembly poll last year, while probing the case.