Journalist Shyamal Dutta's tax file shows one out of four cars

Journalist Shyamol Dutta has allegedly concealed the ownership of three cars out of four, and more than half of his salary in his tax filings, according to tax intelligence officials. 

"Information sourced from the relevant organisations indicate that he [Shyamal] owns four cars, with one valued at Tk1 crore. But, he has mentioned only one [car] in his tax file," an official of the Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit told The Business Standard on the condition of anonymity.

Shyamal, a former general secretary of Jatiya Press Club and editor of Daily Bhorer Kagoj, was considered one of the influential journalists during the Awami League regime.

"Though he [Shyamal] received a salary of Tk43.72 lakh in the fiscal 2021-22, but showed Tk16.90 lakh in his tax file. The following year, he received a salary of approximately Tk50 lakh, but showed less than half of it in his file," the official said further.

Today, the Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit instructed banks to freeze Shyamal's bank accounts, said sources.

Meanwhile, a large locker under Shyamol's name discovered at the capital's Elephant Road branch of Mercantile Bank has been frozen, said tax intelligence officials. 

Also, tax intelligence team discovered that Shyamal's wife had invested undeclared money to the tune of Tk68 lakh in a flat this year. 

An initial investigation into Shyamal's banking transactions has revealed discrepancies in his stated assets, and officials believe he may have more substantial amount of assets that remain unreported.

Efforts are underway to uncover these, they said.