The Income Tax Department’s search operation at Dentsu India, which began on Tuesday, 1 September, came to a close on Saturday, 5 September, according to sources.

The searches have reportedly covered Dentsu-linked premises across multiple cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Pune. 

The operation is understood to be linked to a suspected tax-evasion investigation. Reports have referred to tax claims of around INR 522.8 crore relating to transactions involving an Indian subsidiary, although the precise transactions under scrutiny and the findings of the investigation have not been publicly disclosed. 

Leadership residences also searched

Sources have also indicated that searches were conducted at the residences of a couple of members of Dentsu India’s leadership team. 

Following the searches, employees in several locations were advised to work from home, with Dentsu’s APAC leadership communicating the seriousness of the situation to staff. The Pune office is reportedly open for staff.

The latest action marks the fourth major regulatory development involving Dentsu India in recent years. The company faced an Income Tax search in 2022, an Enforcement Directorate investigation in 2024 and scrutiny by the Competition Commission of India in 2025.

Dentsu India has not issued a detailed public statement on the current searches.