CBI arrests top IRS officer Amit Kumar Singal for accepting bribe of ₹25 lakh
The CBI said a “private person” was caught red-handed taking the bribe on behalf of IRS officer Amit Kumar Singal.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested top Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Amit Kumar Singhal and one other person "for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹25 lakh." The CBI said a “private person” was caught red-handed taking the bribe on behalf of “accused public servant.”
“The CBI has arrested two accused including a Senior Indian Revenue Service Officer 2007 batch, presently posted as Additional Director General, Directorate of Taxpayer Services, New Delhi, and a private person for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹25 lakh from the complainant,” the CBI said in a statement shared by news agency ANI on Sunday.
The CBI said it laid a trap and “caught accused private person red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹25 lakh from the complainant on behalf of accused public servant at the public servant's residence in Mohali."
“Accused public servant was also apprehended from his residence in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Later, both accused were arrested and will be produced before Competent Court,” he said.
A case was registered by the CBI on May 31 against the accused on allegations “that accused public servant demanded illegal gratification of ₹45 lakh from the complainant in exchange for extending favourable treatment from the Revenue/Income Tax Department. ”
“The demand was accompanied by threats of legal action, imposition of heavy penalties, and harassment in case of non-compliance,” the CBI said.
Meanwhile, the CBI conducted searches at multiple locations across Delhi, Punjab, and Mumbai. “Investigation is continuing,” the central probe agency said.