Income Tax Department Books BNJD, Four Office-Bearers Over Alleged ₹1,143-Crore Bogus Donation Racket

The Income Tax Department has filed a complaint against the Bharatiya National Janata Dal (BNJD) and four office-bearers, alleging that more than ₹1,143 crore in purported political donations was routed through the party and later returned to donors in cash after commissions were deducted.

The complaint was filed on September 23 by Dr Rajendra Raj Jehra Ram, Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Unit 2(1), Ahmedabad. The allegations are contained in the complaint and have not been established by a court.

The accused named are BNJD president Surendrakumar Vitthalbhai Gajera, general secretary Vipul Solanki, treasurer Ronaksinh Chavda and chartered accountant-auditor Adil Syed.

Income Tax Search At BNJD Office

According to the complaint, the Income Tax Department conducted searches under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act on November 12, 2025, at the BNJD office in Meghmalhar Complex, Sector 11, Gandhinagar, as well as at the residences of party office-bearers.

The department alleged that the search and subsequent investigation uncovered a mechanism in which taxpayers were introduced as political donors and transferred money through banking channels to BNJD accounts.

The donors were allegedly issued bogus donation receipts that could be used to claim deductions under Sections 80GGB and 80GGC of the Income Tax Act.

₹1,143.85 Crore Allegedly Routed Through Party

The complaint alleges that BNJD received more than ₹1,143.85 crore from 56,238 donors between financial years 2019-20 and 2024-25 through the purported arrangement.

The department has alleged that the money was subsequently transferred from the party's accounts to firms including Kajal Enterprises and Parmar Associates.

According to the complaint, fabricated invoices and bills showing purchases of grains, pulses and other commodities were allegedly used to support the transactions.

The department further alleged that cash was withdrawn from the firms' accounts after commissions ranging from 2% to 10% were deducted.

The remaining money was allegedly returned to the original donors through Angadiya channels or hawala networks.

Income Tax Department Alleges ₹343 Crore Revenue Loss

The department has estimated an alleged direct income-tax loss of around ₹343 crore from the transactions.

According to the complaint, this amounts to roughly 30% of the purported donations received through the alleged arrangement.

The complaint also alleges that false accounting records and documents were prepared and contribution reports in Form 24A were submitted to the Election Commission, allegedly presenting the transactions as genuine political contributions.

BNJD President Named As Alleged Mastermind

The complaint describes BNJD president Surendrakumar Gajera as the alleged main accused and mastermind.

It alleges that Gajera supervised the arrangement, including determining commission rates and facilitating the return of cash through intermediary firms and alleged hawala channels.

General secretary Vipul Solanki has been accused of coordinating with Gajera and obtaining donor details through WhatsApp before preparing and sending the purportedly bogus donation receipts.

2.91 Lakh Receipts Allegedly Recovered

The Income Tax Department has alleged that around 2.91 lakh receipts were recovered from premises linked to treasurer Ronaksinh Chavda during the search.

Investigators also allegedly recovered WhatsApp conversations with a middleman identified as Abhishek Sharma. According to the complaint, the messages referred to money being sent through an Angadiya channel after a 6% commission was deducted.

Chartered accountant and auditor Adil Syed has been accused of preparing and digitally signing audit reports without allegedly verifying the party's accounts.

The complaint further claims that Syed did not visit the party office or meet its office-bearers before certifying the accounts.

Investigation Began After Information On Transactions

The complaint states that the Income Tax Department launched its investigation after receiving information about the alleged transactions and subsequently carried out the November 2025 searches.

The department has alleged that BNJD's bank accounts were used as a conduit for purported political donations, with the subsequent transfer of funds to firms, cash withdrawals and alleged repayment to donors forming part of a pre-planned arrangement.

BNJD is a registered political party. The complaint has sought legal action against the party, its office-bearers and their alleged associates.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.