Taxing times: From Sonu Sood to Priyanka Chopra, bollywood stars with income tax troubles

In what appears to be a complete role reversal, Bollywood star Sonu Sood is now in trouble with the law. Reports claim that his six properties are being surveyed by India’s income tax department. He’s not alone in this tussle with legal agencies – here’s a look at some other actors who’ve had run-ins because of tax.

The IT department is surveying Sood’s properties to check if there has been any tampering of accounts. Six locations including companies related to Sood are under the scanner. The tax survey has come days after the actor became the brand ambassador for the Delhi government’s mentorship programme for school students. During the pandemic, the 'Happy New Year' star was hailed as a real-life superhero on account of his humanitarian work involving thousands of migrant Indian labourers during the COVID-19 outbreak. But he told Gulf News that he harboured zero political ambitions.

‘Thappad’ star Taapsee Pannu and filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Vikas Bahl were in the spotlight earlier this year over alleged tax evasion. Tapsee and Kashyap together reportedly had about 20 locations to search.

Back in 2011, Katrina Kaif was suspected for tax evasion. At the time, Indian media reported that she hadn’t been able to provide proper tax details. Her agency had also gotten into trouble over the news.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ homes and properties made it to the IT list as well back in 2011. It was reported that authorities unearthed details of hidden income to the tune of Rs60 million! There was also some talk about hidden assets from her father worth Rs15 million as well.

Sanjay Dutt's home was searched by the Income Tax Department in 2012, along with Sonu Sood and Sonu Nigam's, due to their expensive lifestyle. According to a previous story, the star was being investigated for his multi-million dollar custom-made wristwatches. His wife Maanayata Dutt was observed wearing one watch worth about Rs 5-6 million just a day before the raid.

When it comes to IT raids, Salman Khan has always been a target. Khan's residences across the city, as well as those in Panvel, were raided by the IT department in 2000. After the popularity of his film ‘Dabangg’, his brother, Arbaaz Khan, was also questioned.

Ekta Kapoor's house was raided by IT authorities for possible tax evasion a day before the release of her film Shootout at Wadala. Nearly a hundred officers were on the scene, searching the Kapoor home as well as the Balaji Telefilms studio. According to reports, department authorities swooped down on seven locations throughout the city, including Ekta's home in suburban Juhu, as part of the sea search.

It was one of the most tense raids ever. Income Tax officials went to the extent of breaking down the walls of Madhuri Dixit-Nene’s home, only to reportedly discover secret money stashed within the walls. The actress, according to a trustworthy source at the time, had given the money to her manager to manage.