Tea seller gives Rs 1.5 crore in dowry for daughters; under I-T lens

Tax officials have summoned a tea seller who, allegedly, has given Rs 1.5 crore in dowry for wedding of his six daughters.

A video went viral in which, Leela Ram Gujjar, who owns a tea stall at Haduata near Kothputli, is flaunting cash and counting the notes in a loud voice as local villagers and community leaders watch. He is then seen handing over the bundles of notes to the families of the grooms.

He has been summoned by the income tax officials.

"We will wait till Thursday. He will be questioned on his income, and it will be checked if he filed his returns or not. If the dowry he paid stemmed from unaccounted for income, a tax deduction process would be initiated. He has also been asked to produce documents pertaining to his income," a senior I-T officer told TOI.

Besides, Gujjar will also be questioned for marrying off his four minor daughters. Sources told TOI, Gujjar had printed wedding cards for just two of his elder daughters, but the four minor girls were also married at the April 4 ceremony.

Police are now on the lookout for Gujjar and his family. "We visited their house but they are missing. Their relatives have been asked to appear at the police station," an officer posted at the Kothputli police station told TOI.