New Delhi: Expanding its reach, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money today issued a public notice asking people to furnish “precise” information about any Indian resident or entity holding illegal or secret assets abroad.
The SIT, headed by retd Supreme Court judge M B Shah with justice (retd) Arijit Pasayat as its Vice-Chairman, had promised to create such a public window sometime back and it has now given an assurance that the name of the information provider will be kept confidential.
“Persons (individuals, associations, NGOs or any other entity) having specific information about any “Resident” of India (Individual, HUF, Association of Persons, Company, Trust, Body of individuals, Firm, etc) having illegal and/or undisclosed bank accounts/assets located in foreign countries and/or undisclosed bank accounts/assets located in foreign countries and/or any interest in such assets/accounts in any manner may furnish such information to the SIT in the attached proforma,” the high-powered panel said. The panel said it requests the public at large to send “precise information in a crisp manner and mere allegations without specific details be avoided.” Justice (retd) Pasayat had earlier told PTI that the panel will take action in all such cases which have “specific” information about illegal assets stashed abroad. The SIT, in today’s notice, has also asked the public to make “concrete suggestions to bring unaccounted money stashed abroad back to India.”
Public can send the information to the SIT at the postal address of the Joint Secretary (Member Secretary SIT) of the Department of Revenue in North Block or at email id “[email protected]” with the name, address, known mobile number, email id, passport details, details of illegal assets and available documentary evidence of the suspect Indian or entity holding undeclared assets or bank accounts.
“The identity of the persons furnishing the said information will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed in any connection. The SIT will not entertain any further correspondence in regard to the information furnished in pursuance of this notice,” it said.
The SIT has been constituted by the Supreme Court and notified by the government with a specific purpose to unearth blackmoney, curb its menace, strengthen mechanisms to check it and investigate all such cases where Indians have stashed illegal funds or assets overseas. The panel has heads or officers of 11 central investigative and enforcement agencies on its board. (PTI)
