India hunts hidden cash in corruption blitz

New Delhi

MANSIONS owned by maids, gardeners and drivers until now have aroused little suspicion in India, where the wealthy have long hidden fortunes in the names of lowly-paid staff to avoid paying tax.

But as the government broadens its crackdown on corruption, a new law promises to end the widespread practice and hundreds of suspicious bank accounts are under investigation. "There's been an overnight change in the system," real estate lawyer Naresh Gupta told AFP, describing the new rules as "very draconian".