Monday, June 27 2005 18:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: The Income Tax department has attached moveable and immoveable assets of former Patna District Magistrate Gautam Goswami, declared wanted by the State vigilance bureau in connection with the multi-crore flood relief scam.

''We have attached both moveable and immoveable assets of Goswami and other scam accused, including Santosh Jha, owner of a fake firm,'' Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-II Upendra Singh told reporters in Patna.

Besides the bank accounts of Goswami and others, their flats, which have been detected so far were also attached.

Singh said the assessment wing of the department was carrying out assessment of their assets and stringent punitive action, including levy of penalty, would be taken against them if their assets were found not to have been declared in their returns.

He, however, refused to divulge the amount of the deposit in their frozen accounts and the value of their immoveable property and other valuables.

"Further investigation is on and we will let you know the details soon", he said.