In a complaint filed by the Income Tax (I-T) Department, a Delhi court summoned Huawei Telecommunications (India), its chief executive officer Li Xiongwei, and three top company officials, accusing them of withholding information that had been sought. “The accused company’s and its officers’ failure to comply resulted in the obstruction and stifling of authorised officers’ search action,” the court stated in an order issued on Thursday. “The accused’s culpable mental state is presumed.”

There is sufficient evidence on file to summon the company and four accused for committing an offence punishable under Sections 275-B and 278-B of the Income Tax Act.” The charges carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison.