BBC India offices searched by tax officials after gov’t blocked Modi documentary.

On Tuesday, India’s income tax officials searched the BBC India offices in Delhi and Mumbai, investigating possible violations of transfer pricing rules and diversion of profits. The BBC stated that many staff have now left the building, but some have been asked to remain and are continuing to cooperate with the ongoing enquiries. According to Delhi-based senior advocate Tarun Gulati, a survey conducted by the Income Tax Department allows officials to collect any information which it deems useful, and they can retain any books or documents. This survey comes weeks after the BBC aired a two-part documentary titled “India: The Modi Question” in the United Kingdom, which examines Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role during the 2002 Gujarat riots and his rise through the ranks of ruling India. The Indian government later ordered the blocking of multiple videos of the documentary on YouTube and Twitter, citing the need to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India. The Editors Guild of India and Human Rights Watch have expressed concern over the survey, arguing that it is part of the government’s “escalating crackdown on civil society groups and media freedom.”