Missing officials delay Nokia tax evasion probe

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Investigations into the tax evasion by Nokia India could take longer due to some officials from Price Waterhouse and Co and Nokia India failing to appear for investigations during the last three days, Income tax sources said.

Sources told Express that on Friday eight officials of Nokia India were summoned for investigation but not all turned up and would be summoned later.

 “We are keeping our fingers crossed and will investigate all the officials,” the sources added.

To a query whether the officials are delaying the investigation by not being present for the investigation, sources said that the excuses for not attending could be genuine and all their statements will be taken.

Interestingly, on January 16 only three of the four auditors of Price Waterhouse and Co summoned appeared for investigation. Similarly on January 17, only two auditors of PW and Co were grilled as one of the auditor excused himself. Income Tax sources said the auditor would be available on Monday. He will be accompanying the fourth auditor who is likely to be present on January 21.

Similarly, on January 17, only the managing director of Nokia India Sales Private Limited P Balajee was present for the enquiry. Interestingly, the chief financial officer of Nokia India and the taxation head, both women, did not appear for the investigation.

Even on Friday, income tax sources said that not all officials appeared for the investigation. And Income tax officials are not taking any chances after the Vodafone case and will be conducting the investigation of all the officials.

“We will be submitting the report and hand it over to the assessment officer,” the source said.

Interestingly, journalists were denied any information on the ongoing investigation of Nokia officials. On Thursday Price Waterhouse and Co said that they signed the audit report of Nokia India Sales Private Limited for the last six years that has resulted in tax evasion worth Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore based on the advise of Nokia India.