Rs 1.38 Crore Tax Evasion Case Against Imtibish Health Care At Markaz Knowledge City (Photo on Facebook Imtibish Healthcare)
Kozhikode, Kerala: Imtibish Healthcare, an Unani medical institution near Markaz Knowledge City, reportedly faces a tax evasion case from Central Goods and Service Tax (GST) intelligence. Abdul Hakkim Azhari kanthapuram, the institution director, also serves as the managing director of Markaz Knowledge City located in Kozhikode.
It is alleged that the institution facilitated ‘pleasurable treatment’ or ‘enjoyable therapy’ under the guise of a hospital, thereby evading approximately Rs 1.38 crore in taxes, as reported by MediaOne, citing government documents.
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The tax amount was allegedly evaded between 2022 April and 2024 March. Officials had questioned some of the company’s directors before filing the GST intelligence report regarding the institution, the report added, sharing the GST intelligence report published on June 11.
In its report, the GST intelligence pointed out that the investigation revealed that the Imtibish Health Care was not registered as a clinical establishment under the Kerala State Council for Clinical establishments during the period under investigation.
“Incidentally, the TP has the NABH accreditation w.e.f. 29-02-2024. The NABH certification is intended for hospitals and healthcare providers. However, this does specifically classify the TP as a clinical establishment or hospital,” the report said.
The report noted that clinical establishment means “a hospital, nursing home, clinic, sanatorium or any other institution, whatever name is called, that offers services or facilities requiring diagnosis or treatment or care for illness, injury, deformity, abnormality or pregnancy in any recognized system of medicines in India.”
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It explained that the entity’s website introduces the institution as “Tigris Valley Wellness Retreat, Where Deluxe Treatments and Transcendental Experiences Await.” It also mentions the bouquet of services offered as ‘Experience the wellness’, ‘Skin disease treatment’, ‘Rehabilitation’, ‘Mental wellness’, ‘Pain management treatment’, ‘Spinal issue treatment’, ‘Panchakarma treatment’, ‘Neuro rejuvenation’ among others, the report noted.
The institution accepts bookings through popular online travel booking platforms like Goibibo, Make my trip, and Agoda, making agreements with businesses, the report underlined, adding that the descriptions provided on these platforms are “idyllic retreats designed to offer the best of wellness therapies under one roof”, among others.
“The TP is seen advertising and selling privilege cards called ‘Sapphire’ and ‘Ruby’, to avail their services. The Ruby card is priced at USD 3,999, Ruby Smart at USD 5,999, whereas the Sapphire card is at Rs 1,99,999 and Sapphire plus at Rs 2,99,999; all valid for 2 years. Also, the tagline associated with the cards is ‘your passport to wellness’. So, the TP appears to be consciously advertising themselves as a wellness center,” the report stated.
The report further highlighted that the institution was paying commission to the agents for the customer bookings facilitated by them. “Such practices are nonexistent and illegal in the case of hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, sanatoriums or such institutions providing human healthcare services,” it underscored.
