Income Tax Department Sends Notice to PDP Leader Waheed Para for Financial Records
The Income Tax Department has issued a notice to Waheed Para, a senior leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Pulwama, requesting his financial records and books of accounts. This notice, issued under Section 131(1A) of the Income Tax Act, empowers tax officials to request financial documents even without any formal proceedings.
Para has been instructed to appear before the Income Tax authorities on December 20. However, sources indicate that he received the notification on the same date. While the PDP leader has not made any public statements regarding the issue, aides close to him confirmed that a representative would attend the Income Tax office on his behalf on the following Monday.
According to Section 131(1A), tax officers are permitted to summon individuals or their authorized representatives to furnish documents or information necessary for ongoing investigations. Para is expected to present his books of accounts along with relevant financial documentation to aid the department’s inquiry.
In his report to the Election Commission after the assembly elections, Para stated that his expenditure for the election campaign exceeded ₹14 lakh, with ₹12 lakh sourced from loans, gifts, and donations from various individuals, firms, and organizations. His election affidavit disclosed that his total assets, which include both movable and immovable properties, amount to over ₹2.5 crore, encompassing inherited agricultural land valued at ₹2 crore.
A significant figure in Jammu and Kashmir politics, Para has encountered legal troubles in recent years. He was detained for nearly two years, initially apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on November 25, 2020, a day after he filed his nomination for the District Development Council elections in Pulwama. Though he secured bail from an NIA court in January 2021, he was later re-arrested by the Counter Intelligence (Kashmir) unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on similar allegations.
His release on bail marked a pivotal point in his political trajectory, but the recent notice from the Income Tax Department introduces another layer of examination.
This Income Tax notice arrives amidst escalating political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, with various party leaders accusing central agencies of targeted actions. Para’s situation has attracted attention as it brings forth issues surrounding financial transparency and the political landscape in the region.
As the investigation advances, all eyes are on Para and the PDP’s forthcoming actions in light of the increasing scrutiny from central entities. The PDP leadership has yet to provide an official response regarding the notice, leaving observers eagerly anticipating further updates.