The Income Tax Department carried out search operations for two consecutive days, 18 and 19 November, on three major restaurant chains in Hyderabad—Pista House, Shah Ghouse and Mehfil Group—as part of an investigation into suspected tax discrepancies.
As per reports, the coordinated searches by IT team covered nearly 30 premises, including corporate offices, restaurant outlets, warehouses, and the residences of promoters and senior management. Key locations searched include Shalibanda, Tolichowki, Gachibowli, Lakdikapul, and other parts of the city. Around Rs 6 crore in unaccounted cash was reportedly recovered during the operation.
The department is examining digital records, transaction data and accounting documents to verify allegations of suppressed sales, diversion of cash receipts through employee-linked UPI accounts and possible gaps between reported turnover and actual earnings, particularly during peak business seasons.
Pista House, founded in 1997 by Mohammad Abdul Majeed, operates more than 40 outlets across India and abroad, including in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait. The brand is particularly known for its Haleem during Ramadan, when demand rises sharply across physical and online platforms.
Shah Ghouse, established in 1973 by Mohammed Ghouse Pasha along with Mohammed Rabbani and Mohammed Irfan, runs multiple outlets in Hyderabad and has a strong presence in the city’s delivery market.
Mehfil Group, founded in 2006 by Jaleel Rooz and Mubeen Pasha, has grown to about 15 outlets across Hyderabad and has expanded overseas with a branch in the United Arab Emirates.
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