CBI books five IT officials, CA in Hyderabad for cheating income tax assesses

Hyderabad: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against six persons, including five Hyderabad-based officials of the Income Tax Department—two inspectors and three senior tax assistants—and a private person, on allegations of cheating the income tax assesses.

In a press release issued by the CBI officials, the officials said that the accused persons were identified as Gulnaz Rawoof, income tax inspector, Hyderabad; Kuthadi Srinivas Rao, income tax inspector, Hyderabad; Quamar Aulam Khan, senior tax assistant at CIT (DR)-II, B Bench, ITAT, Hyderabad; Manish Sikrawal, senior tax assistant at ITO, Ward 12(1), Aayakar Bhawan, Hyderabad; Mohammad Javeed, senior tax assistant at Pr. CIT (AU-4), Kondapur, Hyderabad; and Pulimamidi Bhagath, chartered accountant.

The officials allegedly misused the data circulated by the Income Tax Department in respect of the income tax assesses who claimed high IT refunds, with directions to send notices for initiating enquiry. Misusing the data, the accused public servants contacted the assesses over the phone and threatened them with hefty penalties.

Further, the accused allegedly obtained undue advantage into the accounts of the accused chartered accountant and got the same transferred into their accounts. Searches were conducted by CBI at the premises of the accused at six places in Hyderabad, which led to the recovery of some incriminating documents. Further investigation is on, the officials said.