Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat receives I-T notice

Mumbai, Jul 10 (PTI) Maharashtra's Minister for Social Justice Sanjay Shirsat on Thursday said he has received a notice from the income-tax department, seeking an explanation on the growth of his assets between the 2019 and 2024 Assembly polls in the state.

The Aurangabad (West) MLA, who belongs to the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, also told reporters outside the legislature complex here that Shinde's son, Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde, too had received a notice.

But later, he corrected himself, saying he had no idea about Shrikant Shinde receiving any I-T notice.

Sources in the know confirmed that no notice was issued to Shrikant Shinde.

They added that the notice to Shirsat was triggered by the automated CASS technology of the I-T department for assessment year 2024-25.

The CASS or computer-assisted scrutiny selection is carried out on the basis of certain pre-defined risk parameters and has no human intervention, the sources said.

They said the scrutiny notice could be related to some "exemption" issue and once the reply is furnished by the assessee, it will be finalised under the faceless-assessment scheme of the tax department.

"Some people had filed a complaint against me with the income-tax department, based on which I was issued a notice. I was supposed to respond to it on Wednesday, but requested for more time. I will give a proper response. Nothing wrong has been done," Shirsat said, when asked by reporters about a viral video clip in which he is heard talking about the I-T notice.

The notice was about the rise in his declared assets between the two state elections, he said.

"People think no action is taken against political leaders. This is not the case. I will reply to the notice legally," the minister added.

Asked if he suspected any conspiracy against him, Shirsat said, "Some people complained and the income-tax department took notice.... The system is doing its work and I have no problem with it. I am not under any pressure. I have received a notice and even Shrikant Shinde received a notice from the income-tax department," the Shiv Sena leader said.

Returning about 20 minutes later, he claimed to have been misrepresented.

"I was here to inform about the I-T notice issued to me. Someone asked me a leading question that whether Shrikant Shinde had also received a notice and was it political vendetta. However, my response was presented as if I was informing people about Shinde receiving a notice. I want to clarify that I have no idea about whether the I-T department has issued a notice to Shinde," Shirsat said.

Earlier in the day, a video clip of a speech delivered by Shirsat at an event in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he spoke about the I-T notice, went viral on social media platforms.

"Now, black money is not going to be useful. I am speaking for myself," Shirsat is heard saying in the video, prompting laughter.

He then went on to mention that he has received an I-T notice. "It is easy to earn money, but using it has become difficult. I have contacted my chartered accountant," the Shiv Sena leader said.

Recently, Shirsat and his son faced allegations in the Maharashtra Legislative Council regarding a hotel deal. PTI AW ND JD/NES RC