The North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) has slapped a notice on Asaram Bapu for evasion of property tax pertaining to his sprawling ashram at Vande Mataram Marg in the Ridge Area near Karol Bagh. The notice issued by the Assessment and Collection Department of the civic body under Section 123D of DMC amendment Act 2003 said as per record available, it has been found that no tax returns were filed since 2004.
It also asked the proprietor to appear before concerned authority on September 12 with relevant documents and evidence to support the case of the property. Meanwhile, the Corporation also seeks clarification from Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Forest Department about the possession of nearly three acres of land in the heart of Ridge Area. The notice was issued on Thursday.
“You may bring to our attention any stay or direction from any court with regard to the assessment of property tax or having already filed the correct property tax return along with the payment of due tax. Failing which, it will be assumed that you have nothing to say and thereafter the assessment will be finalised on the basis of information without further communication to you thereby precluding you from objecting to any assessment made,” said the notice signed by the Assistant Assessor and Collection of the NMC.
A senior official, during a situational survey of the ashram on September 2, said that Municipal officials had found commercial activities being carried out there. The ashram was found selling literature on Asaram, Ayurvedic medicines, incense and other religious material.
“We will be seeking details of the land in possession of the ashram from DDA and the Forest Department under whose provisions the land was allotted to Asaram. If the land has not been allotted to him, then it will also be scrutinised whether it was encroachment on public land,” said the official.