IT Department conducts raids against unrecognised political parties in Gujarat, other states

India's income tax department launched raids in multiple states against registered unrecognised political parties (RUPP) and their alleged dubious funding as part of tax evasion probe, sources said.

A coordinated action has been launched by the tax department against the RUPPs, their linked entities, operators and others, the sources told PTI, adding the raids are being conducted in Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and some other states.

The raids are said to come on the recommendation of the Election Commission, which recently struck off 87 entities from its list of RUPP after they were found non-existent during physical verification.


The poll panel had announced that it was taking action against more than 2,100 registered unrecognised political parties for flouting rules and election laws, including those related to filing of monetary contributions, failing to update their address and names of office bearers.

Some of these parties were indulging in "serious" financial impropriety, EC said.

(with inputs from PTI)