Income Tax department on Wednesday carried out searches at properties of filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, Madhu Mantena and actor Taapsee Pannu. The I-T searches are being conducted in connection with Kashyap's Phantom Films, which was dissolved in 2018. Searches are also underway at properties of Shibhashish Sarkar (CEO Reliance Entertainment), Afsar Zaidi (CEO Exceed), Vijay Subramaniam (CEO Kwan). Exceed Entertainment and Kwan Entertainment are Mumbai's popular celebrity management agencies.
Phantom films which was dissolved in 2018 has been charged with tax evasion and IT searches that began on Wednesday morning, are being conducted at the offices of these agencies and residences of the people associated. As many as 20 locations are being searched, said sources.
The agencies sought after those against whom they have reliable information said Union minister Prakash Javadekar about the raids. "The matter later goes to court," the minister said.
Both Anurag and Taapsee have openly criticised the government from anti-CAA protest to showing solidarity to the ongoing farmers protest.
Slamming the searches by the tax department on Mr Kashyap and Mr Pannu, Several ministers in Maharashtra said that these raids are being conducted because these celebrities are outspoken. Those who stand against the government or its policies are being suppressed by the Government, said Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik.
Anuraj Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane and producer Madhu Mantena, came together to establish a film production company in Mumbai in 2011 and in March 2015, reliance Entertainment had obtained a 50 per cent stake in the company.
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The company was closed after a former employee of Phantom films accused producer Vikas Bahl of sexual assault in 2018.
It was reported that Madhu Mantena had bought the shares of Anurag Kashyap, VikramadityaMotwane and Vikas Bahl in an attempt to restore the company. Each three of them held 12.5 per cent shares in the company. With this deal Phantom films was converted into a new company - Mad Man Venture - a joint venture between Madhu Mantena and Reliance Entertainment with both holding a 50 per cent stake in the present company.