The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal on Friday dismissed Congress's plea seeking a stay on the Income Tax department's action on their bank accounts. The Congress then requested a 10-day stay on the order so that the party could approach the High Court. However, the bench declined the request.

The Indian National Congress (INC) is embroiled in a contentious income tax case with the IT Department concerning tax claims for the assessment year (AY) 2018-19. Initially, a claim of Rs 103 crores was filed, which was later revised to Rs 105 crores. However, with the inclusion of Rs 30 crores as interest, the claim escalated to Rs 135 crores.

The Congress on Wednesday appealed before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) alleging that the tax department "undemocratically" withdrew a sum of Rs 65 crore from its accounts in different banks.

On February 16, the main bank accounts of the Congress were frozen. However, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal later allowed them to operate bank accounts pending further hearings.

The Congress then appealed before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal alleging that the tax department "undemocratically" withdrew a sum of Rs 65 crore from its accounts in different banks.

"I am a 100-year-old party filing my returns regularly... To do this on the eve of elections is to make sure I don't participate in the festival of democracy...We are being choked," the advocate, appearing on behalf of the Congress had informed the tribunal court.

Source: India Today