MUMBAI, February 5: In an interesting twist to investigations into the assets of Cinevista Communications by the Income Tax department, the 17-year-old daughter of Prem Kishen Malhotra of Cinevista has filed an FIR with the Bandra police alleging that jewellery and cash sealed by the I-T had been stolen from their residence.The FIR was filed on January 23 on a complaint from Akanksha Malhotra after an alleged dacoity took place at their Bandra residence. The dacoits were allegedly accompanied by the building watchman, claiming they had been asked to visit the flat by her brother, Siddharth for carpentry work. The Malhotras' residence had been raided by the I-T on December 16, 1997, as part of a series of raids on film and television personalities. The I-T had put jewellery estimated at Rs 40 lakh and Rs one lakh cash under prohibitory orders following the raid.
Unless the concealment is gross, the department usually gives the assessee 60 days' time to explain suspectedly unaccounted jewellery. Only thenit is seized, if explanations are not forthcoming. That time for the Malhotras would have ended on February 15.
As per Akanksha's statement , the two men who first entered her flat had Prem Kishen's visiting card, and were carrying leather bags, one of which contained a chopper. She also said her maid, Ganga, who was present, later told her that two of the robbers had earlier visited their building and that the Malhotras' driver, Aslam, knew them.
The FIR has become something of a mystery. The dacoity took place on Friday evening, just before a long weekend holiday for the I-T department. At least six persons are supposed to have committed the theft, but none in the building heard even a whisper. The police have now sought the names of the I-T officers connected with the raid. A crime inspector from Bandra however said the maid, who was taken in custody, does not seem to be involved.
Akanksha was allegedly forced into the bathroom and asked to indicate where the sealed items were kept. She pointed tothe cupboard under threat of a chopper. The two men filled the cash and jewellery in their bags and snatched away her mobile. They then gagged her and tied her limbs. About five others entered through the main door. Akanksha's grandmother and the maid were also dragged into another room and tied up, as was the watchman who had accompanied the men to the flat. None of the victims apparently raised an alarm, nor did Akanksha try to use her mobile phone before she was allegedly tied up.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
