Team Anna accuses Govt of targetting its members

CNN-IBN

New Delhi, 02 September 2011: The Income Tax Department has slapped a notice on Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal for violating the terms of his IRS service bond and claimed Rs 9 lakh in arrears. The charge is that Kejriwal has violated bond conditions, and until his dues are cleared, his resignation from the Indian Revenue Service in 2006 will not be accepted.

 

But Team Anna has slammed the notice, calling it a political move - a part of the Government’s smear campaign against the anti-corruption crusaders.

 

Terming it a political vendetta, Kejriwal said, "No correspondence took place in the past four years. The Income Tax Department sent me a notice on August 5 prior to Anna’s fast beginning on August 16. It seems I-T Department’s political bosses ordered them to send me this notice. Government officers have been trying to dig up dirt on me for the past 10 years."

 

Kejriwal said he took study leave from November 1, 2000 to October 31, 2002.

 

 

Joined back on November 1 2002 and resigned only in February 2006. He was on unpaid leave between 2004 and 2006, and as per the bail bond, did not resign in three years that followed his study leave.

 

On its part, I-T Department says even though it’s a seven year old case, it wont withdraw the notice.

 

Shanti Bhushan, the legal mind of Team Anna, has to confront the Delhi Police, which is yet again claiming that the CDs allegedly showing a deal between the Bhushans and Amar Singh over a land deal was genuine.

 

"The Government is back to its old tricks yet again," said lawyer Prashant Bhushan.

 

Kiran Bedi is also facing the prospect of a privilege motion against her in Parliament.

 

It is significant to note that all this has happened within the last few days. The timing is bound to raise questions. While Kiran Bedi has said that she would appear in front of a privileges committee, Prashant Bhshan has said that he would approach the Supreme Court. Its look like that this battle is far from over.