‘Will continue to report without fear or favour’

As India's income tax department concluded their three-day "survey" at BBC's offices in Delhi and Mumbai on Thursday night, the international broadcaster said it would continue to report "without fear or favour".

"The income tax authorities have left our offices in Delhi and Mumbai. We will continue to cooperate with the [tax] authorities and hope matters are resolved as soon as possible," the BBC said, adding it will "continue to report without fear of favour".

The "survey" operation had begun at the BBC offices around 11:30am on Tuesday and ended just after 10:00pm on Thursday, sources said.

Tax authorities have made and taken back with them an inventory of the available stock, recorded the statement of some staffers and have taken away some documents as part of the survey relating to the BBC's international taxation and transfer of profits.

The tax officials were seen carrying some bags as they exited the BBC office at the Kasturba Gandhi Marg in central Delhi.

The BBC tweeted that "we are supporting staff -- some of whom have faced lengthy questioning or been required to stay overnight -- and their welfare is our priority.

Our output is back to normal and we remain committed to serving our audiences in India and beyond.