The Income Tax (IT) department on Tuesday, 14 February, is undertaking searches at the Delhi and Mumbai offices of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), according to multiple news reports. This comes amid a controversy over the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the sources, Phones and electronic devices of the staff have been seized at the moment & BBC has asked its staff to work from home if they have not come to office.

Around 100 employees are inside the BBC office in Delhi's Kasturba Gandhi Marg, where nearly two dozen officials are carrying out searches on the fifth and sixth floors. The editorial team is on the fifth floor while the accounts department works from the sixth floor of the 17-storey building.

The officials are also present at the BBC's Mumbai office, according to sources.

The search come on the heels of a controversy surrounding a two-part documentary by the broadcaster focusing on Prime Minister Modi and his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Last week, the Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking a complete ban on the BBC in India over the film, which was earlier banned by the government on YouTube and social media platforms.

Source: NewsLaundry