The BBC Question: Income Tax Officials Conduct Survey Operation At British Broadcaster's Offices In Delhi And Mumbai

The Income Tax Department on Tuesday conducted a survey operation at the BBC's offices in Delhi and Mumbai as part of a tax evasion investigation, officials said.

The surprise action comes weeks after the UK's National broadcaster BBC aired a two-part series attacking PM Narendra Modi's tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002.

The department is looking at documents related to the business operations of the company and those related to its Indian arm, they said.

As part of a survey, the Income Tax Department only covers the business premises of a company and does not raid residences and other locations of its promoters or directors.

Earlier last month, the Centre had reportedly ordered YouTube and Twitter to take down links sharing the documentary and called it a "propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative".

Responding to a query on the BBC documentary 'India: The Modi Question, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi last month said, "We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative".

"The bias, the lack of objectivity, and frankly a continuing colonial mindset, is blatantly visible. If anything, this film or documentary is a reflection on the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative again," Bagchi added.

(With inputs from PTI)