I-T sleuths to zero in on people hosting parties at Bath Castle

Manav Mander

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 29

A day after raid at the Bath Castle, Jalandhar, the Income Tax Department has attached an ultra-light aircraft, found from the spot.

According to sources, a bill of Rs 11 lakh dollar regarding the purchase of a helicopter was recovered by I-T sleuths, but the department failed to locate any chopper.

The sources added that the group was ready to surrender Rs 5 crore as unaccounted money for the current financial year, but the department would continue with the evidence- based proceedings.

The I-T Department is scanning every document seized from the business and residential premises of the group.

Meanwhile, panic has gripped people in the city, who hosted parties and wedding functions at Bath Castle recently. Fear has spread after the Income Tax (I-T) Department conducted raids on the group premises in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Nakodar, recently.

During raids it came to light that registers of the resort did not show the exact number of bookings and under billing was also done for parties that were hosted here.

A city resident on condition of anonymity said he had hosted wedding of his daughter at the resort. “But all payments were made through cheque and no under-billing was done by the owner. I am little worried because the name of the IT Department induces fear, but otherwise there is nothing I am concerned about,” he said.

Finding of ultra-light aircraft and papers of a helicopter is what has surprised everyone. “I wonder how people are living abroad and earning money from Punjab. The group belongs to an NRI. The I-T Department should keep a check on all such NRIs, who are amassing wealth even by living abroad,” said another city resident.

Bath Castle in Jalandhar and Ludhiana are owned by Bath and Uppal Group. The name of Pavitar Singh Uppal has figured in the list of Paradise Papers in November last year. Baths and Uppals are related to each other. They own marriage palaces, cold stores and have made huge investments in property.