Income tax clean chit to Mayawati challenged

The Govt challenged in the Delhi HC the clean chit the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has given to UP CM Mayawati on "donations" worth Rs.6.5 million she has received from her supporters.

The government on Friday challenged in the Delhi High Court the clean chit the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has given to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on "donations" worth Rs.6.5 million she has received from her supporters.

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Additional Solicitor General Parag Tripathi contended that the genuineness of donations and gifts worth the Rs.6.5 million allegedly given to Mayawati by her supporters could not be established.

He contended that the Income Tax Department found that many people, who allegedly gave her gifts worth millions of rupees, were not well-off.

The court, however, did not pass any order after Mayawati's counsel contended that senior advocate Harish Salve, who had appeared for her in the case, was not available.

The court was hearing a petition by the Income Tax department challenging the tribunal's decision Nov 30, 2007 give Mayawati a clean chit.

The high court had April 2 issued notice to Mayawati on the petition.

The tribunal had held that gifts amounting to Rs.6.5 million were given to Mayawati by her supporters "out of love and affection" and they could not be treated as taxable income.