The Income Tax (IT) department on Wednesday carried out searches at properties of filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, Madhu Mantena and actor Taapsee Pannu.
The IT searches are in connection with Kashyap's Phantom Films, which was dissolved in 2018.
Charges of tax evasion have been brought against the now-dissolved film production company. Searches, which began on Wednesday morning, are being conducted at the offices of these agencies and residences of the people associated.
Searches are also underway at several locations in Mumbai, including the properties of Shibhashish Sarkar (CEO Reliance Entertainment), Afsar Zaidi (CEO Exceed), Vijay Subramaniam (CEO Kwan).
An IT department source related to the probe told reporters, “Searches are on at the premises of Pannu, Kashyap and Bahl in Mumbai and other locations.”
It should be noted that both Anurag Kashyap and Taapsee Pannu are known to be vocal about their criticism of the government.
Most recently, the actress expressed angst over the Supreme Court for asking a rape accused if he would marry the victim.
"Did someone ask the girl this question ? If she wants to marry her rapist !!!??? Is that a question !!!??? This is the solution or a punishment ? Plain simple DISGUST," Taapsee Pannu posted.
Earlier, she had posted on social media, "If one tweet rattles your unity, one joke rattles your faith or one show rattles your religious belief, then it's you who has to work on strengthening your value system not become propaganda teachers for others."
Anurag Kashyap had been vocal about condemning the violence against anti-Citizenship Act protestors in 2019. Last year, he had expressed support for actor Rhea Chakraborty in the Sushant Singh Rajput case and had slammed Bollywood actors for not speaking up enough on the case.