Pune: A significant scandal involving tax evasion has come to light within the Servants of India Society, with the Prayagraj branch being at the center of the controversy.
The society, known for its extensive land holdings across the country for social welfare purposes, is now facing allegations of financial misconduct. The scandal centers on a land sale in Pechperwa village, Uttar Pradesh, where the society sold a piece of land valued at ₹73.14 lakhs for a mere ₹17 lakhs.
What makes this sale particularly controversial is that the transaction was carried out by the society’s current leaders, including President Damodar Sahu, Secretary Milind Deshmukh, and Senior Member P.K. Dwivedi, without seeking permission from the Charity Commissioner, a legal requirement for such sales.
To make matters worse, the society failed to pay the necessary taxes on the sale, leading to millions in tax evasion.
Pravin Kumar Raut, a member of the society, brought this matter to the attention of the Income Tax Department in November 2023. He followed up with the department again on February 14, 2024, and received confirmation that action was being taken.
However, when no further updates were provided, Raut issued another reminder on October 1, 2024, urging the department to take swift action.
The allegations don’t stop at tax evasion. There are claims that Sahu, Deshmukh, and Dwivedi have been misusing the society's resources and selling properties illegally.
The leadership is also alleged to have done misdeeds to secure lifetime memberships for their children and grandchildren. Deshmukh is already facing three criminal charges, and the court has scheduled a bail hearing on October 3.
