The Income Tax department on Tuesday asked its officers not to shy away from arresting, detaining and auctioning of attached assets of the wilful defaulters.
The IT department said that strict actions will be taken against the wilful defaulters, including use of the provision for prosecution under section 276C(2) of the IT Act with an imprisonment for a period between three months and three years which may also carry a fine.
“Earlier, in crimes like these, people would pay fine and get away. But under the new instructions, the defaulters will be arrested,” the IT department said.
“Stringent action can be taken in suitable cases including use of the provision for prosecution under section 276C(2) of the Act,” the dept added.
The dept gave directives to the TROs (Principal Commissioner of IT) to ensure that the attached property of the defaulters is sold within one year.
The TRO has also been directed to monitor cases which are being heard in the Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs).