The searches in BBC New Delhi and Mumbai offices come weeks after the broadcaster aired a documentary in the UK critical of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The documentary focused on the prime minister's role in anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat in 2002, when he was chief minister of the state.

The BBC said that it was "fully co-operating" with authorities. "We hope to have this situation resolved as soon as possible," a short statement added.

Although the documentary was only broadcast on television in the UK, India's government has attempted to block people sharing India: The Modi Question online, calling it "hostile propaganda and anti-India garbage" with a "colonial mind-set".

The BBC said last month that the Indian government was offered a right to reply to the documentary, but it declined. The BBC has stood by its reporting for the documentary.

Also last month, police in Delhi detained students as they gathered to watch the documentary after their university declined to give permission for a screening of it.

Meanwhile, the Congress came out criticizing the inspection. Jayaram Ramesh's sarcasm is that destruction is the opposite of wisdom. He pointed out that the government is inspecting the BBC at a time when the JPC is demanding an inquiry into the Adani issue.

There have been some complaints against the BBC regarding tax payments and financial fundraising. The Income Tax officials explained that the raids are for more information about this.

The broadcaster said the film was "rigorously researched" and "a wide range of voices, witnesses and experts were approached, and we have featured a range of opinions, including responses from people in the BJP".