India Behind The Lens (News Centre)

With Income Tax office slapping a notice on activist Arvind Kejriwal to pay dues, Team Anna Hazare today alleged that the government was back to its "dirty tricks department" and that officials were pressurised by "political bosses" to act against them.

Other than the IT Office's notice to Kejriwal to pay dues of Rs 9.27 lakh, Team Anna also referred to a Delhi Police report which said a a CD purported to contain conversation between lawyer Shanti Bhushan and political leaders was genuine. Notices for breach of privilege have also be moved in Parliament against Kiran Bedi.

The Office of the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax had on August 5 issued a notice to Kejriwal, an IRS officer, asking him to pay up, 11 days ahead of Hazare's fast demanding a strong Lokpal.

"This shows that the government has not learnt any lessons. The smear campaign is still on...There is a notice against Arvind. Delhi Police have closed the investigations in the CD case saying the disc was genuine. There is also a privilege notice against Bedi. They are back to dirty tricks. They are back to the dirty tricks department," lawyer and Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan told a press conference along with Kejriwal and Bedi here.

Chief Commissioner of Income Tax issued notice to Kejriwal to clear the dues alleging that he violated the bond clauses underwhich he went for a study leave for two years.

Kejriwal claimed he "did not violate" any bond provision and he resigned from the job after the stipulated three years of rejoining duty after study leave.

However, the government did not deduct the dues and instead served him a notice after four years and just before Hazare began his fast for a stronger Lokpal Bill, he said.

On the privilege notice, Bedi said she will not apologise and would say, "I am sorry I will not say sorry to you. I will show a bigger mirror to them on what is happening in our Parliament and Assemblies."

Kejriwal alleged that his uncle and other relatives in Siwani in Haryana were probed and harassed by officials of the Intelligence Bureau and other agencies. Officials were asking people to give information about any irregularity by him or relatives, he added.