Lok Sabha passes Income Tax Bill, broadening officials' powers for search and seizure
The Lok Sabha passed the revised Income Tax Bill, 2025, significantly broadening the powers of income tax officials. The Bill allows officials to forcibly break into personal emails and social media accounts of assessees during search operations, with the revised version containing 2.59 lakh words compared to 5.12 lakh words in the 1961 Act. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the updated version. The Select Committee, which reviewed the bill, had suggested changes, but the final version still grants extensive powers, including accessing digital data and demanding passwords. Critics, like Congress MP Amar Singh, raised concerns about privacy violations and the potential for misuse of these broad powers, arguing it infringes on the right to privacy guaranteed by the Supreme Court.
Key Points
- The Lok Sabha passed the revised Income Tax Bill, 2025, significantly expanding income tax officials' powers.
- New provisions allow officials to forcibly access personal emails and social media accounts during search operations.
- Concerns have been raised regarding potential privacy violations and misuse of these broad powers.
- The Bill's provisions are seen by critics as infringing on the Right to Privacy guaranteed by the Supreme Court.
Exam Facts
- The Bill is the revised Income Tax Bill, 2025.
- It replaces the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- The revised Bill has around 2.59 lakh words, compared to 5.12 lakh words in the 1961 Act.
- Congress MP Amar Singh criticized the bill.
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