13:12 (ist)

I-T authorities defend raids

"The search team has no concern with the MLAs and there has been no contact with MLAs and the search team," the department said in a statement about the team which was deployed at the Bengaluru resort, PTI reported.

I-T officials said a total of 39 premises of the minister and his family are being raided by a team of about 120 Income Tax Department officials with the aid of central paramilitary forces. The raids are taking place in Delhi and Karnataka.

According to CNN-News18, a total of 64 locations are now being raided in Delhi and Karnataka.

PTI further reported that the department is also investigating charges of alleged role of money power and huge transfer of illegal funds for these polls.

The I-T Department further said the timing of the search was decided well in advance.

"The search is the continuation of an investigation which has been in progress for a considerable period of time. They added that the timing of the search was decided well in advance," the I-T statement said.

"The events involving certain MLAs of another state being brought to Karnataka were unforeseen and unpredictable events," it said.

The search, described as an "evidence gathering exercise", is being conducted by the Karnataka Investigation Wing of the Income tax department.

"The search under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act is an evidence gathering exercise which is being carried in compliance with all statutory requirements. The search is the continuation of an investigation which has been in progress for a considerable period of time," the I-T department said.