Been busy attending to guests: Sonu Sood after I-T raids

The CBDT said the charity foundation set up by the actor has collected donations to the tune of Rs 18.94 crore

Days after the Income Tax Department unearthed a tax evasion and irregularities to the tune of Rs 250 crore, actor-philanthropist Sonu Sood on Monday said that every rupee in his books is safe and ready to be utilised for a good cause.

Sood took to Twitter on Monday to give his side of the story after last week’s raid at his Mumbai residence and office and at a dozen places in the country including Lucknow and Jaipur.

During the search operation, accounts of his company and Sood Charity Foundation were checked.

"Every rupee in my foundation is awaiting its turn to save a precious life and reach the needy. In addition, on many occasions, I have encouraged brands to donate my endorsement fees for humanitarian causes too, which keeps us going,” the actor wrote.

Sood referred to Income Tax officials as “guests”.

"I have been busy attending to a few guests hence was unable to be at your service for the last four days. Here I am back again in all humility. At your humble service, for life,” he said.

The actor in the statement said: “You don't always have to tell your side of the story. Time will.”

The IT Department had said that during its action against a “prominent actor” -- without naming him -- revealed that Sood and his entities and associates have evaded tax to the tune of Rs 20 crore, kept charity funds unutilised, engaged in bogus contracts and dubious circular transactions all totalling Rs 250 crore.

Also read: Sonu Sood evaded Rs 20 crore in taxes, says I-T Department

The CBDT had said the charity foundation set up by the actor was incorporated on July 21, 2020, and has collected donations to the tune of Rs 18.94 crore from April 1, 2021, till date. Out of this, it said, the foundation has spent around Rs 1.9 crore for various relief works and the balance of Rs 17 crore has been found lying "unutilised" in its bank account.

A total of 28 premises spread over Mumbai, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jaipur, Delhi, and Gurgaon have been covered in the search operation, the IT department said.

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(With PTI inputs)