Bengaluru: Notices served to Sandalwood stars, producers after I-T raid concludes
Stars Puneeth Rajkumar, Yash, Sudeep, Shivarajkumar and producers Rockline Venkatesh, Vijay Kiragandur, Jayanna are likely to be questioned by the I-T officers
Bengaluru: The Income Tax (I-T) raids on Kannada stars and producers have come to an end, but troubles have just begun for the stars as the I-T department issued notices to them.
It is said that the I-T team found Rs 109 crore worth cash, property without supporting documents. In this regard, notices have been issued to stars Yash, Sudeep, Puneeth Rajkumar and Shivarajkumar and producers Rockline Venkatesh and Vijay Kiragandur. They are expected to be present at the I-T office today to face questioning.
More than 180 I-T officers raided 21 places belonging to Sandalwood stars, producers and their spouses for three days in an ordeal that began on January 3. Current reports state that Rs 2.85 crore cash and 25.3 kg gold was found, taking the total amount found without supporting documents to Rs 109 crore. Considering this, the stars will have to pay a tax of Rs 25 crore.
Reports also state that the money availed by selling tickets in theatres do not have proper supporting documents and have been transferred to other accounts. Documents for satellite, digital and audio rights sale also have not been found.
Raids were conducted in the houses and offices belonging to Puneeth Rajkumar, Yash, Shivarajkumar, Kichcha Sudeep. Properties of producers Vijay Kiragandur, Jayanna, MLA and producer CR Manohar and Rockline Venkatesh were also searched.
Latest reports claim that producers Jayanna and Vijay Kiragandur were at the I-T office and were questioned.