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WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (PTI) The US said on Tuesday that it was aware of an investigative operation by Indian tax authorities at the BBC’s Delhi office, but could not provide its judgment.
Income tax officials said the operation was part of a tax evasion investigation.
“We are aware that the Indian tax authorities raided the BBC’s offices in Delhi. I need to refer you to the Indian authorities for details of this search. Apart from this independent operation, I would like to speak more broadly on the general point that I It’s always been in that context, but also in a general context,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters here.
“We support the importance of a free press around the world. We continue to emphasize the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief as human rights that help strengthen democracies around the world. It strengthens democracy in this country. It strengthens democracy in India, said Price.
These universal rights, he asserted, are the cornerstone of democracy worldwide.
Asked whether the action violated some spirit or value of democracy, Price said, “I can’t say. We know the facts about these searches, but I can’t judge.”
On Tuesday, the Income Tax Department conducted an investigation at the BBC’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai.
The unexpected move comes weeks after the broadcaster aired a two-part documentary about the 2002 Gujarat riots and India.
Tax officials said the department was looking at documents related to the company’s business operations as well as documents related to its Indian branch.
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)
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