India, March 26 -- Citing WhatsApp messages that helped unearth Rs.200 crore in unaccounted money linked to crypto assets, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday defended the provisions of the new Income Tax Bill, 2025.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Nirmala Sitharaman said granting tax authorities access to digital records is crucial for addressing tax evasion and financial fraud.

"Encrypted messages on mobile phones led to unearthing Rs.250 crore unaccounted money. Evidence from WhatsApp messages of crypto assets has been detected. WhatsApp communication helped unearth Rs.200 crore unaccounted money," MoneyControl quoted the finance minister as saying.

Sitharaman also mentioned that Google Maps history was used to identify l...