PATNA: In a first of its kind move in the country, the income tax (I-T) department on Friday auctioned immovable properties of Tripurari Mohan Prasad , a convict in fodder scam cases, to recover tax dues and penalties to the tune of Rs 43.03 crore from him.

Altogether 18 flats at Vasikunj Apartment near Saguna Mor in the state capital, which were owned by Prasad, went under the hammer at the I-T HQ in the state at Central Revenue Building here. Though only 15 of these flats could be settled during the seven-hour open bidding, the move yielded over Rs 6.91 crore.

Prasad was a fodder and medicine supplier when the scam took place. The auctioning followed a protracted legal battle between the Prasads and I-T department.

I-T (central) commissioner Prashant Bhushan said, "It is for the first time in the country that immovable property of a fodder scam accused or, for that matter, a tax defaulter was auctioned through open bidding." He said immovable properties of 42 other tax evaders of Bihar and Jharkhand would also be auctioned soon for which the process of completing formalities has begun.

Initially, the bidding was to begin at 11am. But it was deferred till 2.15 pm due to some procedural issues and again for half an hour. Altogether 14 bidders participated. While there no takers for flat number 301, four bidders vied for flat number 302. It was settled at Rs 50 lakh.

