India, June 13 -- The Income Tax department is investigating tax evasion and money laundering of unaccounted income by high-risk persons through investments in virtual digital assets (VDAs), including cryptocurrencies, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

"Such entities and individuals which are engaged in VDA transactions and have failed to comply with the Income Tax Act, 1961 have been identified for verification," a government official who asked not to be named said.

In India, crypto-assets are not recognised as legal tender.

Cryptocurrencies are not regulated in the country and the government is in the process of bringing out a discussion paper on this subject with options ranging from regulation to a complete ban, a sec...