The IT department has issued a notice to Novel Singhal Lavasa, Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa’s wife and a former banker, regarding her income as the director of multiple companies.

The department has been investigating the case for some months. After finding allegedly discrepancies in Novel Singhal’s tax return, the IT department sent her the notice seeking clarification. The department is now analysing the ITRs of Novel Singhal Lavasa to find out if something had been concealed from tax authorities. 

Novel Singhal Lavasa has been asked to explain details in her tax returns with regard to holding directorship in 10 companies between 2015 and 2017.

“There have been reports in certain sections of the media about Income Tax notices to the undersigned regarding ‘discrepancies in tax returns’ filed by me,” said Novel Singhal Lavasa in a statement. “It is stated that I have paid all taxes due towards me and disclosed all income earned by me from a pension, and all other sources as per Income Tax law.”

Novel Singhal Lavasa served as a Class I officer with the State Bank of India for 28 years before retiring in 2005.

“I continue to be engaged in various professional activities, including as independent director in a few companies,” she added. She said she has replied to the notices she received on August 5 and has been cooperating with the department.

Ashok Lavasa made headlines in May when he disagreed with the Election Commission’s decisions with regard to violations of the Model Code of Conduct.

Lavasa had opposed five clearances that the poll panel gave to Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party National President Amit Shah in complaints of Model Code of Conduct violations during the election campaign. The commission cleared Modi in six such cases but Ashok Lavasa’s dissent was not noted in the poll panel’s orders. Later, he recused himself from meetings on the matter.

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