New Delhi – In a significant development, the Income Tax department has carried out raids on properties linked to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), Ahmad Ashfaque Karim, in multiple locations across Bihar. Mr. Karim, who holds the position of main trustee and founder chancellor of Al Karim University in Katihar, is the central figure under scrutiny.
The operations surrounding these raids were shrouded in secrecy, with officials refraining from revealing details to the public.
It’s worth recalling that this probe agency had previously conducted searches at Mr. Karim’s premises in connection with an investigation into a land-for-jobs scam involving RJD leader Lalu Prasad and his family members.
According to a statement by the Income Tax department, “The Patna directorate initiated the search action at Al Karim Educational Trust, responsible for the administration of Al Karim University and Katihar Medical College. The trust’s main office is based in Patna and is also responsible for operating schools in the paramedical and allied health sciences, information technology, and management sectors. The primary trustee is Ahmad Ashfaque Karim, who simultaneously serves as the founder chancellor of Al Karim University and holds a position as a sitting MP in the Rajya Sabha.”
Moreover, tax authorities confirmed that their teams are meticulously examining office records and digital systems. It is still too early in the process to provide any substantial leads. To facilitate the operation, Income Tax officers and officials from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Delhi have joined forces, with security arrangements overseen by a central paramilitary force.
Despite repeated attempts by the Press Trust of India (PTI), Mr. Karim remained unavailable for comment regarding the Income Tax searches conducted at properties linked to him.
In a parallel development, the Income Tax department also conducted searches on premises associated with the Milia Education Trust, which is based in Purnea, spanning across the districts of Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur.
The statement by the IT department noted, “Searches were executed at the premises of the Milia Group in Purnea, Bihar, which manages the Milia Educational Trust. The key trustees of this trust are Asad Imam, Syed Gulam Hussain, Quaisar Imam, Md. Wasim, Ozair Ahmad, and Javed Danish.”
This incident unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing investigations into financial matters linked to educational institutions and trustees, marking another chapter in the pursuit of transparency and accountability.
[Disclaimer: This article is based on information from October 11, 2023, and is subject to change.]
