Income Tax officials searched the BBC's Delhi and Mumbai offices on Tuesday and seized phones and laptops, weeks after a massive controversy over the UK broadcaster's documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the deadly sectarian riots in Gujarat in 2002, according to NDTV reports.

The taxmen sealed off the offices for a "survey" linked to alleged irregularities in international taxation and transfer pricing involving the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), said sources.

Documents were seized and phones and laptops of journalists were taken away, the sources said. The offices were sealed for the "survey" and employees were asked not to call anyone.

BBC, in a memo to staff, asked those not in office to stay away and those at work to not panic, reportedly saying, "We are handling the situation".

Tax officials insisted that this was a survey, not a search, and that the phones would be returned.

"We needed some clarifications and for that our team is visiting BBC office and we are carrying out a survey. Our officers have gone to check account books, these are not searches," Income Tax sources asserted, adding that the taxmen asked the BBC's finance department for details of balance sheets and accounts.

The opposition accused the government of targeting the BBC for airing a documentary critical of PM Modi over the riots that swept Gujarat in 2002, when he was Chief Minister.

The two-part series, "India: The Modi Question", was taken down from public platforms last month. The Centre used emergency powers under IT Rules to block YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the documentary. The government slammed the documentary as "hostile propaganda and anti-India garbage".

Opposition leaders and students protested against what they called blatant censorship by organising public screenings of the documentary, which led to clashes on campus between students, college authorities and the police.

"Here we are asking for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Adani-Hindenburg row, and there the government is hounding BBC. Vinash Kaale Viprit Buddhi (when one is doomed, one makes wrong decisions)," commented Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra jibed in a tweet: "Reports of Income Tax raid at BBC's Delhi office. Wow, really? How unexpected."

"When a government stands for fear and oppression instead of fearlessness, then one should realise the end is near," wrote Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav in Hindi.

The ruling BJP ripped into the BBC for what it called "venomous, shallow and agenda-driven reporting" and said the Income Tax department should be allowed to do its job. "No individual or agency can be above the law. If they are working in India, they need to follow Indian law. If they have not done anything illegal, then what's the worry? Why are the opposition parties defending the agency for cheap and petty politics," said BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia. He also mocked the BBC as "Bhrasht, Bakwas Corporation (Corrupt, nonsensical corporation)".

Last week, the Supreme Court rejected a request for a complete ban on BBC in India over the documentary, calling the petition "entirely misconceived".

Tax survey: "gloves are off," says opposition, BJP hits back

The raid took place after a huge controversy over the UK national broadcaster's documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and allegations linked to the 2002 Gujarat riots, opposition leaders took potshots at the Centre, and called the action 'predictable', 'a sign of panic', and a hint that 'their end is near'.

However, the BJP came down heavily on the British broadcaster, calling it "the most corrupt organisation in the world". The ruling party also attacked Congress, saying it supports 'anti-India' narratives.

"If any company or organisation is working in India, they have to comply with the Indian law. Why are you scared if you are adhering to the law? The IT department should be allowed to do their work. BBC is the most corrupt organisation in the world. BBC propaganda matches with Congress agenda," BJP's national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said in a press conference.

Mr Bhatia further said "BBC's history is black, tarnished, and has been anti-India", and asked Congress to remember that Indira Gandhi had once banned the broadcaster.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, while taking a "how unexpected" jibe, linked it to allegations of the US-based short-seller Hindenburg group's allegations of Adani group manipulating stocks. Snacks for Adani when he visits the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) office, she said. Ms Moitra has long been calling for the stock market regulator's investigation into Adani group companies.