I-T probe may cover all IPL franchises

Amidst allegations of murky deals, the Income Tax department plans to enlarge their current inquiry into the IPL's financial transactions to cover all the franchises for which it may summon people and undertake search operations.

Amidst allegations of murky deals, the Income Tax department plans to enlarge their current inquiry into the IPL's financial transactions to cover all the franchises for which it may summon people and undertake search operations.

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Notwithstanding claims by IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi that it was routine questioning on Thursday by officials at the premises of BCCI and his office in Mumbai, I-T department sources said the special team has prepared a voluminous report on the operations and sent it to the Finance Ministry in Delhi.

Top sources said that in the wake of the report, plans were afoot to summon representatives of the various IPL team owners for questioning and for production of teams.

It may also include search operations on their officials premises, the source said adding it could be a long process, the sources said.

Officially there has been no no word on the operations in Mumbai but sources said the department in Mumbai has been asked to carry out further inquiries and, if necessary, even surveys and raids on IPL premises and those of its franchises.

"We are widening our inquiry. However, it will take some time before we obtain all details about IPL's transactions," the sources said.

Earlier indications were that only the new franchisees Kochi and Pune could be investigated but now the department may be expected to scrutinise the bid process of all the franchises in the wake of allegations about the sourcing of the funds of the teams.