Mumbai: Two days after the income tax department alleged that Sonu Sood had indulged in tax evasion and indicated violations pertaining to foreign contributions received by his charity foundation, the actor told TOI that he worked for the poor and extended financial assistance to the needy after establishing their credentials.

“I have not received a single penny into the account of my foundation from abroad, so there is no question of any violation. All I did was to raise the voice for the needy on crowdfunding platforms in India and abroad, and they directly provided financial assistance after examining their documents,” he said.

Last week, the I-T department searched 28 premises in Mumbai and north India.

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Mumbai: Sonu Sood on Monday told TOI that he worked for the poor. The Income Tax Department had searched 28 premises in Lucknow, Kanpur, Jaipur, Delhi and Gurgaon connected with the actor and an Uttar Pradesh-based infrastructure company associated with him last week.

The department alleged Sood had evaded Rs 20 crore income-tax and accused Sood Charity Foundation of raising Rs 2.1 crore from overseas donors on a crowdfunding platform in violation of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. The search continued for four days, due to which Sood claimed he had been unable to reach out to the needy approaching him for help. The actor stated his foundation just provided documents of those in hospital to the crowdfunding platforms.

Sood said, “Today I came out and saw people sleeping outside my house in the open to meet me for help. Some of them sold their valuables to travel to reach me. I was feeling helpless as I could not reach them in the last four days. I will continue doing good work irrespective of the political party in power. So even if Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, or any other state governments call me for help, I will do it everywhere, to bring a smile to the face of the poor and needy.”

“I am even talking with top people in Telangana to open a big hospital where poor patients can be treated and operated for free,” he said. The actor claimed there are 53,000 emails and 8,000 messages on his WhatsApp which his team has yet to attend, where people have sought help.

Sood claimed I-T officials said there was no problem with his books and appreciated his good work. He said, “I provided them all documents and will do the same in future if more documents are needed. Officials talked good about my work and I am cooperating with them.”

The I-T department also raised doubts after stating that the actor’s foundation collected donations of Rs 18.94 crore from April this year and utilised Rs 1.9 crore towards various relief works, while the rest of the money was lying in the foundation’s account. “I am spending all the money donated to my foundation according to the needs of the poor, there is a time limit to use the donation amount, and we are using it according to rules,” the actor said. 

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After the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) conducted searches on several premises associated with Sonu Sood last week, on Saturday, the Income Tax Department – in a statement – accused ‘a prominent actor’ of evading over Rs. 20 crore in taxes. The I-T department also alleged in a statement that the actor’s charity foundation (founded last year) has collected Rs. 18.94 crore in donations from April 2021 till date, but spent only around Rs. 1.9 crore in relief work. The statement mentioned that funds to the tune of Rs. 2.1 crore were raised from overseas donors on a crowd-funding platform in violation of FCRA (Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act) regulations, and that investigation on the matter was ongoing.

Sood, who had remained tightlipped on the matter so far, took to social media on Monday morning to write, “You don’t always have to tell your story. Time will. I have pledged myself to the service of the people of India with all my strength and heart.”

The actor – who shot to national prominence after he arranged free transport through rail, air and road for migrant workers to reach their home states during the nationwide lockdown last year and has continued his humanitarian work through his charity established during the Coronavirus outbreak last year – added, “Every rupee in my foundation is awaiting its turn to save a precious life and reach the needy. In addition, on many occasions, I have encouraged brands to donate my endorsement fees for humanitarian causes too, which keeps us going.”

Sood added that he had been busy attending to “a few guests” for the last four days, “hence was unable to be at your service.” He ended the note with the quote – kar bhala, ho bhala, anth bhale ka bhala – adding, “My journey continues.”