The IT officials had apparently received a tip-off specifically concerning the alleged ``undeclared income'' and property that was transferred abroad by the Star TV network.

The channels too did not confirm about the searches. Sainath Iyer, head of PR at Zee TV, termed the IT investigations as a routine industry survey.

``An official of the rank of deputy municipal commissioner accompanied by his aides visited the Worli office of Zee TV to find out about the functioning of the industry. They met the personnel in the finance department, made some routine enquiries, and left. Most of the staff did not even know of their visit. It was business as usual.''

Mr Iyer, however, did not attach much importance to the visit since other TV channels were similarly questioned. Rajesh Pant of Sony denied that any search was conducted by the IT officials. Sony CEO Kunal Dasgupta was unavailable for comment. Sony board officials Sudesh Iyer and Jackie Shroff were not in Mumbai either. Mrs Ayesha Shroff, Mr Shroff's wife, said she was not in a position to confirm or deny the reports.

It is conjectured that the high popularity and rising TRPs of Star TV, after the mega success of Kaun Banega Crorepati, could have led the IT department to conduct the searches. With Zee and Sony also planning to launch similar quiz shows, the same could be true for them as well.