Income tax search at BBC’s Delhi, Mumbai offices

The income tax department is carrying out a survey at the BBC’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai, Newslaundry has learnt. This comes amid a controversy over the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Phones and electronic devices of the staff have been seized at the moment, sources said. BBC has asked its staff to work from home if they have not come to office, sources said.

Around 100 employees are inside the BBC office in Delhi's Kasturba Gandhi Marg, where nearly two dozen officials are carrying out searches on the fifth and sixth floors. The editorial team is on the fifth floor while the accounts department works from the sixth floor of the 17-storey building. One employee at the Delhi building was allowed to leave office during the search over health grounds, they said.

"The Income Tax Authorities are currently at the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai and we are fully cooperating. We hope to have this situation resolved as soon as possible," the BBC's press office tweeted.

Last week, the Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking a complete ban on the BBC in India over the film, which was earlier banned by the government on YouTube and social media platforms.

There has been disquiet on several university campuses over the attempted screening of the documentary, which pertains to the 2002 Gujarat riots and PM Modi’s approach towards Indian Muslims. The government had earlier called it “propaganda”.

Asked about remarks by the Ministry of External Affairs, BBC earlier said, “The documentary was rigorously researched according to highest editorial standards. A wide range of voices, witnesses and experts were approached, and we have featured a range of opinions – this includes responses from people in the BJP. We offered the Indian government a right to reply to the matters raised in the series – it declined to respond.”

Sources told Newslaundry that BBC has allegedly told its staff in India to be cautious, and to remove BBC stickers and ID from their vehicles and microphones. Asked about such steps, the spokesperson said, “We do not comment on security matters.”