Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat confirmed receiving an Income Tax notice over asset growth between 2019 and 2024. He initially claimed Shrikant Shinde also got a notice but later retracted, calling it a misstatement. Shirsat said he will respond legally and denied any wrongdoing or political pressure behind the move.
Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat, Image/File pic
Maharashtra Minister for Social Justice Sanjay Shirsat on Thursday said he has received a notice from the Income Tax department seeking an explanation of the increase in his assets between the 2019 and 2024 assembly elections.
The Shiv Sena MLA from the Aurangabad (West) constituency also told media outside the legislature complex that Shinde's son, Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde, too had received a notice from the Income Tax department, as reported by news agency PTI.
Soon after his statement on the deputy chief minister’s son, Sanjay Shirsat later corrected himself by stating that he had no idea about Shrikant Shinde receiving any income tax notice.
Shirsat, while correcting his earlier statement, said, "Some people had filed a complaint against me with the Income Tax department, based on which I was issued a notice. I was supposed to respond on Wednesday but requested more time. I will give a proper response. Nothing wrong has been done."
The Shiv Sena MLA from Aurangabad was seen furious when asked by the media about a viral video where he is heard talking about the I-T notice.
He further addressed that the income tax notice was about the rise in his declared assets between the two elections.
The minister added, "People think no action is taken against political leaders. This is not the case. I will reply to the notice legally," as cited by PTI.
When the media asked Shirsat whether there was any conspiracy against him, Shirsat responded, "Some people complained, and the Income Tax department took notice... The system is doing its work, and I have no problem with it. I am not under any pressure."
"I have received a notice, and even Shrikant Shinde received a notice from the Income Tax department," the Shiv Sena leader added, as per PTI.
About 20 minutes later, the Shiv Sena MLA seemed to have different points to make. Just after a few minutes, Sanjay Shirsat claimed that he had misrepresented the information, and he did not know anything about Shrikant Shinde receiving an IT notice.
"I was here to inform you about the I-T notice issued to me. Someone asked me a leading question about whether Shrikant Shinde also received a notice and whether it is part of a political vendetta. However, my response was presented as me informing people about Shinde receiving a notice. I want to clarify that I have no idea whether the I-T department has issued a notice to Shinde," Shirsat said.
Earlier, a video clip of a speech made by Shirsat at an event in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where he spoke about an I-T notice, went viral.
"Now, black money is not going to be useful. I am speaking for myself," he is heard saying in the video, prompting laughter.
He then went on to mention that he had received an income tax notice. "It is easy to earn money, but using it has become difficult. I have contacted my chartered accountant," the Sena leader added.
Recently, Shirsat and his son had faced allegations in the Maharashtra Legislative Council regarding a hotel deal.
(With inputs from PTI)
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