The Income Tax Department has attached a plot in Noida worth more than Rs 400 crore as alleged benami property. The plot reportedly belongs to Anand Kumar, brother of BSP chief Mayawati, and his wife.

The attachment

The provisional attachment order for the seven-acre plot, which the department says is beneficially owned by Anand Kumar and his wife Vichiter Lata, was issued on July 16 by the department’s Delhi-based Benami Prohibition Unit. Kumar has been under the scrutiny of the tax authorities for some years over allegations that he acquired benami properties through shell companies. Sources suggest the Enforcement Directorate could be the next agency to examine his assets. He and his wife are reported to be directors of more than 12 companies.

The shell company link

A Delhi businessman, SK Jain, was investigated by the CBI last year in the benami property case and is alleged to have played a key role in helping Kumar acquire benami assets worth several hundred crore. Jain was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate during its action against bogus shell companies; he and his brother had been arrested in March 2017 during a probe into an alleged Rs 8,000 crore money laundering racket. According to available information, around three high-value properties on Sardar Patel Marg were allegedly bought through shell companies set up with Jain’s help, using long-term capital gains, share premiums and some unsecured loans.

Role in the BSP

Anand Kumar, regarded as the second-in-command in the BSP, was recently named the party’s national vice-president, while his son Akash Anand was made national coordinator.

See also: Bahujan Samaj Party | Political leaders

Originally published on 18 July 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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