Federal income tax officials have raided the offices of a senior Gospel preacher in India’s Tamil Nadu state for alleged tax evasion in the second such search of Christian premises in the past three months.
The Income Tax Department on Jan. 20 raided at least 29 properties across the southern state belonging to evangelist Paul Dhinakaran, the son of the late preacher and Jesus Calls ministry founder D.G.S. Dhinakaran. Tax officials primarily raided Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences in Coimbatore town and premises of Jesus Calls in Chennai city. The raids came after officials conducted similar searches last November at Believers Church’s headquarters in Kerala state for three days. Believers Church officials said they have records of filing tax returns and presented them to officials. Officials arrested no one following the November raid nor told the media if there were any irregularities.
Taxmen have also not disclosed details of their findings in the latest search. Some observers in New Delhi link the raids to the emerging political landscape in Tamil Nadu, which goes to the polls in April-May along with West Bengal, Kerala and Assam. Dhinakaran’s ministry, which is popular in Tamil Nadu and most of southern India, can indirectly influence voters. The raids could be a political tactic of the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which runs the federal government, said an observer who requested anonymity.
The Jesus Calls ministry telecasts 400 programs a month, in 10 different languages across the globe, containing real-life stories from people who have overcome their troubles through faith and prayer along with hope.
About The Author
Harrison Okafor
editor
Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
