With the Income Tax (IT) Department slapping dues of Rs. nine lakh on anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare's key aide Arvind Kejriwal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today termed the situation to be amusing, and said all those raising voices against the government end up having notices.
The IT Department had slapped a notice on Kejriwal last month before Anna began his fast at the Ramlila Ground in New Delhi for a strong and effective Lokpal Bill.
Kejriwal has responded saying he 'not violated any study leave bond norm as government employee'.
He also alleged that the income tax notice to him to pay dues has not been sent by the department but its 'political bosses'.
The activist claims he had applied for 'study leave' from November 1, 2000 to October 31, 2002 and had then returned to work on November 1, 2002.
"I completed three years in October 1, 2005 and I resigned only in February 2006. There is no question of my violating any bond conditions," he said.
It has been reported that he was on unpaid leave between 2004-2006.
"Well, it's very difficult to say now that we find Mr. Kejriwal, who was also spearheading the Anna movement. Even earlier also, we witnessed Swami Ramdev, who was spearheading a movement against corruption and black money. It is very difficult to say, but it is amusing and rather very incidental that all these people, who have raised a voice against the government end up planning with notices," said BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
"One doesn't know whether it is intent or design or a matter of course. But it generally and dose raise a suspicion in the minds of the people, whether it is the intent of the government or simply a procedure which is happening. The law is taking it's own course and the best people to explain the entire situation would be the government," he added.
According to reports, Kejriwal who joined Indian Revenue Service in 1995 and worked as Additional Commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi had resigned from service in February 2006. But according to the Income Tax Department his resignation cannot be accepted till he clears all the dues.