Sami accepted that he had a Rs 10-lakh liability in service tax; authorities have begun reviewing files of other performers who have come to the city from across the border

Thankss to Adnan Sami being booked for evading tax, all singers and artistes from Pakistan in the city have been placed under the service tax department's scanner.

Tax woes: During his four-hour interrogation, Adnan Sami accepted that he had to pay Rs 10 lakh in service tax and would do so within two days.

Officials from the tax department are reviewing the files of these personalities, as they believe that the celebrities are evading crores of rupees in taxes.

On Tuesday, Sami appeared at the department office in Matunga, where he was interrogated for four hours, following which his statement was recorded. During the course of questioning, Sami accepted that he had to pay Rs 10 lakh in service tax, and promised to do so within two days.

Sami also told officials that because his Delhi-based event management firm Catalyst had not paid him his dues, he was unable to pay his taxes. He also admitted that he had performed 12 shows in the country for which he hasn't paid tax. `Sami promised that he would pay his dues (Rs 10 lakh) within two days,` said Sameer Wankhede, deputy commissioner, service tax department.

Probe to continue
However, sources within the department said they were not satisfied with his statement and would investigate further, following which a show-cause notice would be issued to him.

Sources also revealed that files on other Pakistani singers and actors working in Mumbai had been opened, and investigations had begun. `After investigations, we will issue summons to them,` said an official.

Wankhede confirmed that they were looking into other Pakistani artistes but refused to divulge further details.