I-T sleuths to question Speak Asia COO

The Esplanade court, on Tuesday, granted income tax (I-T) sleuths the permission to interrogate Taraq Bajpai, chief operating officer (COO) of Singapore-based online survey company, Speak Asia, which allegedly duped over 12 lakh investors across India to the tune of Rs1,300 crore.

The Esplanade court, on Tuesday, granted income tax (I-T) sleuths the permission to interrogate Taraq Bajpai, chief operating officer (COO) of Singapore-based online survey company, Speak Asia, which allegedly duped over 12 lakh investors across India to the tune of Rs1,300 crore.

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According to the counsel appearing for the I-T department, Jitendra Solanki, the investigations had revealed that Rs600 crore were sent to one Haren Ventures in Singapore. The court was also informed that the Rs134 crore in a bank account, which were to be remitted, have been frozen by an investigating agency.

Solanki also pointed out that Bajpai's bail hearing is scheduled on August 18, due to which the court should grant immediate permission for the interrogation.

The I-T department contended that they have not deducted the obligatory TDS on the Rs600-crore remittances. The I-T department had filed an application on August 12.