I-T officials recover Rs 118 crore, 4.7 kg gold from evangelist Paul Dhinakaran after 3-day search op

Rs 118 crore in undisclosed income and 4.7 kilograms of gold. That's what the Income Tax department reportedly unearthed after a marathon three-day search operation on 25 premises linked to Tamil Nadu-based evangelist Paul Dhinakaran in Chennai and Coimbatore.

The raids linked to a tax evasion probe revealed suppression of income to the tune of Rs 118 crore on issues of donation receipts, foreign investments, inflated expenses among others linked to his organisation, Jesus Calls ministries.

Gold bullion weighing 4.7 kg was allegedly recovered from the Coimbatore residence of Paul Dhinakaran, IT officials said.

Paul Dhinakaran is a prominent evangelist who has a significant follower base. He took over control of Jesus Calls from his father and televangelist D G S Dhinakaran after his death in 2008. 

The Dhinakaran family is known to have significant political connections in Tamil Nadu.

According to media reports, the Income Tax department is also scrutinising foreign direct investment received by Dhinakaran’s organisation.

Officials added that the verification of documents recovered during the searches was in progress.

• Chennai
• Coimbatore
• Income tax department
• Income tax serach
• Paul Dhinakaran
• evangelist
• tax evasion
• undisclosed income
• gold
• foreign direct investment