Lobbyist Deepak Talwar under I-T lens for Rs 1,000 crore undisclosed income

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NEW DELHI: Corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar, known for his proximity to politicians, officials and journalists, is being investigated by the income tax department for undisclosed income amounting to Rs 1,000 crore.
The I-T department’s search operation last year against the lobbyist, who operated in civil aviation, FIPB and infrastructure sectors, had led to seizure of Rs 7.35 crore and detection of the undisclosed income, sources said.

According to investigation details, the prosecution complaint against Talwar alleged that he was instrumental in getting approvals for several foreign airlines. Talwar is seen to have maintained close relations with senior government functionaries which helped secure favours for his clients.

Some of deals linked to Talwar, who has been associated with FDI projects since the days of the Narasimha Rao government, under the lens are understood to relate to aviation contracts during the UPA regime.

“We deny all allegations levelled against us,” Talwar’s lawyer Tanveer Ahmed Mirsaid. The lawyer said his client had not yet received any summons from any court taking cognisance of the I-T complaint.

“Till today, the I-T assessing officer has not passed any order whether in favour or against my client since the June 2016 searches conducted by the I-T department,” he added. On the specifics of the I-T prosecution complaint and an alleged Rs 1,000 crore unaccounted income, Mir said he could offer a response only after he received a summons or an I-T order.

Talwar, a familiar face in the power circuit, shot into prominence soon after liberalisation in 1991, and acquired the reputation of the ‘go-to man’ for organising FDI clearances. Later on, he expanded into civil aviation, telecom and media. After a lean spell, he became active after Congress returned to power in 2004.