MLA Sreenijin took 60 lakhs: Income Tax Department takes statement

KOCHI: The Central Income Tax Department has taken the statement of Kunnathunad MLA PV Sreenijin regarding the Rs 60 lakhs accepted from a film producer. He stated that he had returned the amount which was taken as a loan.
Sreenijin took the money from producer Anto Joseph in 2015. Sreenijin was summoned to the Income Tax office in Ernakulam North with a notice to inquire whether the money had been received and filed. Sreenijin admitted that he had taken the money and said that this was recorded in the tax return filed that year. Srinijin said that he had testified that the amount was taken in cheque and that the amount was returned interest-free in 2022. He also said that the amount which was returned as cheque was recorded in the tax return. Income Tax Department has not responded in this regard.

The testimony started at 4 pm and continued till 7:30 pm. A few months ago, the Income Tax department had raided the offices and houses of the filmmakers. Sreenijin was summoned according to the documents obtained during the inspection of Anto Joseph's office. The department is investigating the details, including the source of the money paid.