I-T Department files four charge sheets against VVIP Chopper Scam co-accused Gautam Khaitan

Four fresh charge sheets have been filed by the Income Tax Department against lawyer Gautam Khaitan on the charges of tax evasion and possession of undisclosed bank accounts in Singapore. The charge sheets were filed on the basis of fresh evidence that he was maintaining three bank accounts in Singapore in his own name. Khaitan is alleged not to have disclosed to the tax authorities about the ownership of these bank accounts and about the substantial credit entries in these accounts.

The four supplementary charge sheets were reportedly filed against Khaitan before a Special Court last week for offences under sections 276C(1) (Wilful attempt to evade tax) and 227 (Giving false statement on an oath) of the Income Tax Act. Last year and the year before, the I-T Department had filed at least nine charge sheets against Khaitan for possessing undisclosed foreign assets and non-disclosure of all assets and income before the tax authorities. This brings the total number of charge sheets filed against him so far to 13.

Five complaints were filed against Khaitan and his wife last year under the Anti-Black Money law for the possession of undisclosed assets abroad. In 2017, four charge sheets were filed against him for allegedly maintaining four bank accounts in Singapore in the name of British Virgin Islands-based shell companies and his own name.

According to Enforcement Directorate (ED), Khaitan has been a beneficiary of Rs 850 crore generated out of defence deals. He is alleged to have been involved in several defence deals during the tenure of the UPA.