Bollywood actor
and philanthropist Sonu Sood’s premises in Mumbai were “surveyed” by the
Income-Tax department on Wednesday. A Lucknow-based company linked to Sood was
also surveyed, I-T department sources told PTI. A recent deal between Sonu Sood’s
company and a Lucknow-based real estate firm is under the scanner. The survey
operation has been initiated on allegations of tax evasion on this deal,
Income-Tax department sources said.

Also Read | Sonu Sood clears the air on political future post talks with Arvind Kejriwal

Sources in the
Income-Tax department added that action is being carried out in at least half a
dozen locations in Mumbai and Lucknow. The I-T department raids come days after
Sonu Sood met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The chief minister of Delhi
recently declared Sonu Sood the brand ambassador for the Aam Admi Party
government’s mentorship programme — “Desh ka mentor” for school students.

After the ‘survey’ at Sonu Sood’s premises, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said prayers of lakhs of families are with Sonu Sood. 

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Following his
meeting with Arvind Kejriwal, speculations ran wild that the
actor-turned-philanthropist could join politics and contest Punjab elections
scheduled next year. However, Sonu Sood stressed that he did not have plans about
making a political debut.

After concerns were
raised that the I-T department raids could have had something to do with the
actor’s meeting with the Delhi chief minister, BJP spokesperson Asif Bhamla told
NDTV, “There is no relation to that. Any personality can meet anyone. It is
just a search, not a raid. It’s on a tipoff. It’s not necessary that the person
who heads the charity has done anything wrong.”

Also Read | Sonu Sood joins Special Olympics Bharat as brand ambassador

Sonu Sood, popular
as a Bollywood actor, came under the spotlight during last year’s lockdown. The
48-year-old actor was praised across the world for his humanitarian efforts in
helping migrant workers from Mumbai reach their homes by arranging transport
for them. In the peak of the second wave of COVID-19 in India, when hospitals
were quickly running out of oxygen, Sood turned messiah and sent oxygen to
several COVID patients in need.