New Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS): The Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure action on February 5 on various groups, engaged in the business of pharmaceutical manufacturing, diagnostic services and hospitals, in Kolkata and elsewhere, an official statement said on Wednesday.

The cases were developed, based on the available data in the departmental database, analysis of their financial statements, market intelligence and field enquiries. Search and seizure action was carried out at more than 17 premises at Kolkata, Haridwar and Bhubaneswar.

The search action has resulted in unearthing of incriminating evidence revealing various shell entities being used for raising bogus share capital/unsecured loans, expenditure incurred in renovation of property in cash etc. Evidence of out of books cash transactions has also been found, a Finance Ministry statement said.

As a result of enquiries conducted during the course of search proceedings, it has been established that the groups have used paper/shell companies to route back their own unaccounted money, the statement added.

A finance broker, engaged in facilitating cash loans to the groups, was also covered during the operation, and confirmed the transactions.

A total concealment of income amounting to Rs 300 crore has been detected so far. Cash amounting to Rs 87 lakh and jewellery worth Rs 61 lakh has been seized. Eight Bank lockers have been put under restraint.

The assessees have made an admission of undisclosed income amounting to Rs 50 crore. Further investigations are in progress.