Income Tax Department's official statement on raid in Vijay's house

It's been a taxing time for actor Vijay, who has been subjected to inquiries since yesterday (February 5) afternoon by the Income Tax Department. There were reports stating that the I-T department had procured documents and cash from AGS organization, the production banner behind Vijay's last release, Bigil. It came as a shock when it was revealed that Vijay had been brought back to Chennai yesterday from the shooting spot of his upcoming film, Master, at Neyveli in the Cuddalore district, with inquiries being carried with the actor till the morning hours earlier today.

As the raid on Vijay's house had been conducted, various documents and cash from AGS organization offices and financier Anbuchezhian's properties, who reportedly funded Bigil, were seized leading to a huge confusion. However, an official press release has now been issued by the Income Tax Department, who have stated that investigations are still being carried out about a few of the actor's immovable properties and remuneration received from the said producer. Furthermore, the press release also goes on to state that the common thread between the producer, Vijay, the distributor and financier Anbuchezhian was the box office success of Bigil, which went on to collect around 300 crores. The I-T department raids have also led to the seizure of unaccounted cash of about Rs. 77 crores from various secret locations at Chennai and Madurai, purportedly belonging to financier Anbuchezhian, with latest evidence detected during the search leading to the estimation that the concealment is likely to exceed Rs. 300 crores.

Below is the Income Tax Department's official press release on the raid in Vijay's house:

"Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Direct Taxes
New Delhi, 6th February 2020
Income Tax Department conducts a search on prominent persons in Film Industry In Tamil Nadu

On 05-02-2020, the Income Tax Department conducted a search in the case of 4 major players in the Film Industry including a Producer, a prominent Actor, his Distributor and Financier based in Tamil Nadu. The common thread among all these entities was the success of a recent film which was a box office hit collecting around Rs. 300 crores. About 38 premises of the group were covered in search and survey actions spread over Chennai and Madurai.

The highlight of the search is the seizure of unaccounted cash of about Rs. 77 crore from hideouts and secret places located at Chennai and Madurai, purportedly belonging to the financier. A large number of property documents, Promissory notes, post-dated cheques taken as collateral security was recovered during the search and have been seized. As per evidence detected during the search, it is estimated that the concealment, in this case, is likely to exceed Rs. 300 crore.

The distributor, who is a part of the group searched, is also a builder. All documents in original, belonging to the distributor have been recovered from a hideout place, which was the house of his friend. Scrutiny of the evidence so unearthed is under progress.

The producer, who is also a part of the group searched, is into film production, distribution and film exhibiting Multiplexes and has produced several films. Analysis of the accounts available on the office premises is under process. Evidence of actual receipts and expenses booked and remuneration paid to Artists is under investigation.

In the context of the issues of the prominent Actor, it is stated, that, his investment in immovable properties and remuneration received from the said Producer for acting in the film is the subject matter of investigation in the present search. Searches in some of the premises are still continuing.

(Surabhi Ahluwalia)
Commissioner of Income Tax (Media 8 Technical Policy)
Official Spokesperson, CBDT."