The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has compulsorily retired yet another 15 very senior officers of the rank of Pr. CIT, CIT, JCIT, Addl CIT, ACIT today under Fundamental Rule 56 (J) in public interest, due to corruption and other charges and CBI traps.
Earlier this year, 49 high ranking tax officers including 12 officers from CBDT were compulsorily retired under Fundamental Rule 56(J).
— Prasar Bharati News Services (@PBNS_India) September 27, 2019
49 Taxmen including Senior officers were given compulsory retirement under Fundamental Rule 56 (J) in public interest. #MODIfied100
Courtesy: @transformIndia pic.twitter.com/nZCi016R9s
— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 12, 2019
“…black sheep in tax administration…misused…powers…harassed taxpayers…honest assesses…taking excessive action for minor…violations…have…taken…step…compulsorily retiring…number of tax officials…will not tolerate this type of behaviour.”@narendramodi
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) August 12, 2019
Most of these officers had corruption cases worth crores of rupees against them.
The government has forcibly retired 15 senior income tax officers under Fundamental Rule 56 (J) in the public interest. This is the fourth time that the government has shown a group of senior officers the door for their alleged involvement in corruption or other malpractices.
The latest set of officials belong to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). The officers retired by the government before their term include those at very senior posts, such as Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Commissioner of Income Tax, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax And Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax.
Most of these officers had corruption cases worth crores of rupees against them. The list includes names of officers from across the country – Ludhiana, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, etc. One officer was caught taking a bribe of Rs 15,000, several others many had assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
According to an official statement by the CBDT, the step has been taken in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise to the nation.
“Some black sheep in the tax administration may have misused their powers and harassed taxpayers, either by targeting honest assesses or by taking excessive action for minor or procedural violations. We have recently taken the bold step of compulsorily retiring a significant number of tax officials, and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour,” the prime minister had said in an interview.
It may be noted that 49 high-ranking tax officers, including 12 officers from CBDT were compulsorily retired under Fundamental Rule 56(J) earlier this year.
In June, the government had compulsorily retired 15 commissioner-level officials of CBIC on charges of corruption, collecting and giving bribes, smuggling and even criminal conspiracy. Before that 12 IRS officers were asked to compulsorily retire and a set of 22 CBIC officers were asked to retire in August this year.
The pity is after a long gap also CBDT has not filled up the posts especially in appeals machinery. Junior officers are handling Departments appeals before ITAT. Already tainted CIT’s were posted. If CBDT has such an attitude towards its appeals, no wonder the Department cuts a sorry figure before the courts.
Wise person has given his opinion ” A big government is a bad government ” Ms. Sitharaman, almost all places, govt. servants become corrupt as much as possible for them.But I congratulate the ” MOVE TO PUNISH AS MANY AS POSSIBLE ” . This move will have healthy effect in other places also. Apply this practice in all places where government employees handle big money. I have grievance ( Rs 70 lakhs ECGC of Mumbai year 1990 , State Bank of India California Artesia branch USA-US$ $387,142.53,year 1991, ) due to me but not paid. With interest added, with quarterly rest as per banking practice, amounts will be much higher in both the cases. Both the claims are unquestioned for genuineness – simply ignored. They know that I have no financial capacity of conducting law suit for 30 years. They know that I am already 84 years old and my claim will die along with me – so why care about the claim. Corruption is galore in banks too. Even FEDAI and OMBUDSMAN OF RBI also are hesitant in proceeding against them. They do not even answer, once they know that process will open up corruption on the part of head of the institution.
Similar is the case of the nizams Jewelry trust
The dept has made a humongous error and to cover the officials have committed mistakes after mistakes
The addl commissioner of I come tax Smt Saha has submitted a report to the parliament so they are stuck
The minutes of the members of the board mentions the arrears at a much lower figure but her report to the patliament shows a much higher figure
Honourable PM Modi would keep preaching that corruption is bad and would ensure corruption free society but would keep joining hands with persons who are sentenced for corruption and make him CM and would join hands with person facing corruption charges only to ensure that there is no obstacle in Upper House of parliament and has his way for passing bills as he want them. This is democracy. A person facing corruption charge if in Government service is not given sensitive post but in politics he could be the administrator of the State spending crores and crores of rupees. What a law.
Mr.Modi has an obsession that all others are corrupt except himself and his party. He sees the world with his colored eyes. We have to bear him because many of us voted for him in 2014.
A classic example of karnataka
This is the list as received through Whatsapp message :
Note
27.09.2019
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has compulsorily retired yet another 15 very
senior officers of the rank of Pr. CIT, CIT, JCIT, Addl CIT, ACIT today under
Fundamental Rule 56 (J) in the public interest, due to corruption and other charges and
CBI traps. It is in line with what of the Hon’ble Prime Minister has said in his address to the
nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort and also in his interview to a major economic daily
in which he has said, “some black sheep in the tax administration may have misused their
powers and harassed taxpayers, either by targeting honest assesses or by taking excessive
action for minor or procedural violations. We have recently taken the bold step of compulsorily
retiring a significant number of tax officials, and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour.”
It may be noted that 49 high ranking tax officers including 12 officers from CBDT were
compulsorily retired under Fundamental Rule 56(J) earlier this year. Details of present cases
are as below:
1. Shri O P Meena, Pr. CIT: Shri OP Meena (88107), the then CIT (Appeals)-II
Lucknow had decided the appeal of Shri Prashant Chandra, Advocate on 19.09.2014
while Shri Prashant Chandra, Advocate had been representing the case of Shri OP
Meena before Hon’ble CAT, Lucknow Bench. Shri OP Meena decided the appellate
matter pending before him in spite of clear conflict of interest raising serious doubts on
the integrity of the officer. Undue reliefs have allegedly been given to Shri Prashant
Chandra, Advocate in the appellate order passed by Shri OP Meena indicating a case
of quid pro quo.
2. Shri Sailendra Mamidi, CIT (86055), PCIT(OSD), Chennai: CBI, Cochin registered
a case against Shri Sailendra Mamidi on the basis of source information regarding
demand of illegal gratification of Rs. 10 lakh. He was arrested by the CBI and the bribe
consideration was recovered from his associate. He was placed under suspension in
2015 following his arrest by CBI. He had demanded and received illegal gratification
in case of another Jeweller of Kottayam following an Income Tax survey. Shri Mamidi
had been habitually availing hospitality of a taxpayer in his jurisdiction by staying at
his luxury resort at Kumarakom. He had stayed at Hotel Leela Palace, Kovalam and the
payment was made by a subordinate officer. He had also purchased an Apple i-Pad
through Shri S Sarath, ITO and did not make any payment for the same. His prosecution
was sanctioned on 2.5.2018 and a departmental chargesheet was issued to the officer in
October last year.
3. Shri P.K. Bajaj, CIT: Complaints had been received against Shri P K Bajaj, CIT
(90031) in which the main allegation is demand of bribe for registration of trust u/s
12AA and 80G of IT Act. Hon’ble ITAT, Lucknow Bench had conveyed its observation
of concern in respect of quality of orders passed by Sh. P.K. Bajaj. A vigilance
inspection related to his work as CIT (Exemption), Lucknow was also carried out in
2017 and a large number of irregularities were noticed in the vigilance inspection.
Although the Vigilance Inspection was challenged by him before Hon’ble CAT,
Lucknow Bench and the vigilance inspection proceedings were quashed and the
Department is in the process of challenging the said order. The name of the officer was
included in the Agreed List for the year 2018 jointly by the Department and the CBI.
Although inclusion of his name in the Agreed List was quashed by Hon’ble CAT,
Lucknow Bench. He had appeared in person in a large number of legal proceedings
before Hon’ble CAT, Lucknow Bench and Hon’ble Allahabad High Court, Lucknow
Bench on various dates without seeking any kind of leave. Shri P K Bajaj had allegedly
purchased a flat in Ashok Vihar, Delhi and handed over the same to his estranged wife
by way of alimony without furnishing any intimation as required by Conduct Rules.
Shri Bajaj had allegedly married one Ms. Renu and then Ms. Rakhi without any judicial
separation/divorce from Ms. Sapna, thereby committing bigamy.
4. Shri Sanjeev Ghei, JCIT: Shri Sanjeev Ghei (02533) had allegedly demanded bribe
from a taxpayer for passing a favourable assessment order. He was apprehended by CBI
and the bribe money of Rs. 3.50 lakh was recovered from his office drawer. Shri Ghei
was allegedly found using services of Shri Bhavesh, a Chartered Accountant for
receiving the bribe money from the taxpayer on his behalf. Hand wash of Shri Ghei
with sodium carbonate solution had turned pink indicating that he had accepted
phenolphthalein treated currency notes.
5. Shri K. Jayaprakash, ACIT (HQs): Shri K. Jayaprakash (08564), the then DCIT,
Karimnagar had demanded bribe from a taxpayer for doing an official favour. He was
apprehended by CBI and Rs. 24.60 lakh out of the total bribe money of Rs. 25 lakh were
recovered from staff/ persons associated with Shri Jayaprakash. He was allegedly found using
services of Shri N. Shivakumar, auditor for receiving the bribe money from the taxpayer on his
behalf.
6. Shri V. Appala Raju, Addl. CIT: Shri V. Appala Raju (88093) allegedly acquired
assets in his own name and in the name of his family members, which are
disproportionate to the tune of more than Rs. 60 lakh to his known legal sources of
income. He neither obtained any prior permission regarding transactions of movable
and immovable properties entered into by him nor he furnished intimations regarding
these transactions in violation of provisions of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
7. Shri Rakesh H. Sharma, ACIT: Shri Rakesh H. Sharma (105AJ), the then ITO, Ward
10(2) Ahmedabad had demanded bribe from a taxpayer to settle the Income Tax
Assessment of a relative of the complainant. He was apprehended by the ACB,
Ahmedabad while accepting the bribe money of Rs. 15,000/-. Phenolphthalein stained
currency notes were recovered from the shirt pocket of Shri Rakesh H. Sharma.
8. Shri Nitin Garg (the then DCIT, Sirsa, Haryana): Shri Nitin Garg (06577) had
issued a notice to the complainant and had demanded bribe for not imposing heavy
penalties. The complainant recorded the conversation with Shri Garg wherein he had
demanded the bribe and directed the complainant to handover the bribe amount to Shri
Prince Kumar, an employee of his son. Hand wash of Sh. Prince Kumar with sodium
carbonate solution had turned pink indicating that he had accepted phenolphthalein
treated currency notes. The Call Data Records of Shri Nitin Garg and the complainant
corroborate the allegations of demand and acceptance of bribe.
9. Shri S. A. Fazululla, DCIT: On the basis of source information, the CBI special unit
Chennai was monitoring telephone calls of Shri S.A. Fazululla (07574) and Shri P.
Musalaiah, Chartered Accountant. The calls between Shri Fazululla, Shri P. Musalaiah,
and Dr. K. Upendra Kumar, the assessee established that the three of them had entered
into a conspiracy to pay/receive bribe and obtain/issue a favourable assessment order.
The CBI team gathered that a sum of Rs. 3 lakh would be handed over to Shri Fazululla
on 07.07.2014. The CBI team conducted a search operation on the same day in the
office chamber of Shri Fazululla and during the search operation CBI recovered the
bribe amount of Rs. 3 lakh from the table drawer of Shri Fazululla, who had finalized
the assessment on 07.07.2014 and caused pecuniary advantage to Dr. K. Upendra
Kumar by not verifying the assessee’s claim for capital gains exemption properly.
10. Shri Kripa Sagar Das, DCIT: Shri Kripa Sagar Das (01560) had allegedly passed two
sets of assessment orders, both dated 12.12.2007 and in the Demand & Collection
Register, the original entry was erased with white fluid and substituted by the revised
entry corresponding to total income of Rs. 59,09,538/-. Over writing in Demand &
Collection register indicate that after the original assessment order was passed, another
assessment order on the same date was passed with new lower total income and lower
demand for malafide reasons. Shri Das had finalized the penalty order with the approval
of Addl. CIT, Range 7 for levy of penalty of Rs. 1,57,55,460/- u/s 271(1)(c) in a case.
Later he directed his staff to alter the entry in the Demand & Collection register as the
penalty had been dropped. Thus, Shri Das dropped the penalty of Rs. 1,57,55,460/- in
illegal manner to extend undue benefit to the private party.
Shri Kripa Sagar Das allegedly acquired assets in his own name and in the name of his
family members, which are disproportionate to the tune of Rs. 29,13,395/- to his known
legal sources of income. He neither obtained any prior permission regarding
transactions of movable and immovable properties entered into by him nor furnished
intimations regarding transactions in violation of provisions of CCS (Conduct) Rules,
1964.
11. Shri P. Jose Kunjippalu, ACIT (OSD): Scrutiny assessment in the case of M/s. Canon
Granites Pvt. Ltd. for AY 2011-12 was transferred by the CIT, Thrissur from Shri C. J.
Vincent (10553), the then ACIT, Circle 1(1), Thrissur to Shri P. Jose Kunjippalu
(10550), the then ACIT Circle 1(1) Palakkad. Shri Vincent entered into a criminal
conspiracy with Shri P. Jose Kunjippalu and Shri K J Tomy, Chartered Accountant and
demanded a bribe of Rs. 10 lakh from the directors of the said company. The
complainant had secretly video recorded the conversation with Shri Kunjippalu and
Shri K J Tomy, Chartered Accountant wherein they had demanded the bribe.
Kunjippalu directed the complainant to bring the bribe amount to the residential quarter
of Shri Vincent where he himself was also staying. Shri Kunjippalu had accepted the
bag containing the bribe amount from the complainant and handed it over to Shri
Vincent after verifying the money. Shri Vincent also verified the money and kept the
bag on the shelf. The bag was thrown out from the balcony by Shri Kunjippalu as soon
as he realized that CBI team had entered the flat. The hand wash of Shri Vincent as well
as Shri Kunjippalu had turned pink indicating that both of them had handled treated
currency notes.
Shri Kunjippalu had accepted two Gold coins from a Chartered Accountant with whom
he was having official dealings in violation of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. He allegedly
acquired assets in his own name and in the name of his family members, which are
disproportionate to the tune of Rs. 1,00,72,521/- to his known legal sources of income.
Also he neither obtained any prior permission regarding transactions of movable and
immovable propertied entered into by him nor furnish intimations regarding these
transactions in violation of provisions of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
12. Shri C.J. Vincent, ACIT (OSD): Scrutiny assessment in the case of M/s. Canon
Granites Pvt. Ltd. for AY 2011-12 was transferred by the CIT, Thrissur from Shri C. J.
Vincent (10553), the then ACIT, Circle 1(1), Thrissur to Shri P. Jose Kunjippalu
(10550), the then ACIT Circle 1(1) Palakkad. Shri Vincent entered into a criminal
conspiracy with Shri P. Jose Kunjippalu and Shri K J Tomy, Chartered Accountant and
demanded a bribe of Rs. 10 lakh from the directors of the said company. The
complainant had secretly video recorded the conversation with Shri Kunjippalu and
Shri K J Tomy, Chartered Accountant wherein they had demanded the bribe.
Kunjippalu directed the complainant to bring the bribe amount to the residential quarter
of Shri Vincent where he himself was also staying. Shri Kunjippalu had accepted the
bag containing the bribe amount from the complainant and handed it over to Shri
Vincent after verifying the money. Shri Vincent also verified the money and kept the
bag on the shelf. The bag was thrown out from the balcony by Shri Kunjippalu as soon
as he realized that CBI team had entered the flat. The hand wash of Shri Vincent as well
as Shri Kunjippalu had turned pink indicating that both of them had handled treated
currency notes.
13. Shri T K Bhattacharya DCIT, Ludhiana: The Income Tax Department had carried
out Search & Seizure operations at various premises of M/s. Oasis Group of companies.
The Income Tax Returns of directors of the company and their family members for last
7 years were transferred to Income Tax Department, Ludhiana for re-assessment. Shri
T. K. Bhattacharya (075AN) called up the complainant on phone and informed that he
and his family members were likely to face heavy tax penalty and demanded a bribe of
Rs.10 lakh for reducing the penalty. Tax demand of approximately Rs.35 lakh was
raised by Shri Bhattacharya vide orders dated 21.03.2013 in the case of the complainant
and his family members. The complainant again met Shri Bhattacharya and after
negotiation, Shri Bhattacharya reduced the bribe demand to Rs. 6 lakh.
Shri Bhattacharya was allegedly found using services of Shri Ashwani Kumar Gupta, a
Chartered Accountant for receiving the bribe money from the taxpayer on his behalf.
He was apprehended by CBI and the bribe money of Rs. 6 lakhs was recovered from
Shri Gupta, the Chartered Accountant who had received the bribe amount on his behalf.
14. Shri Kamlesh Kumar Tripathi, JCIT: A proposal had been sent by the ITO Ward
31(2) Kolkata for levying of 8% tax on annual income of the complainant. Shri Kamlesh
Kumar Tripathi (94024) allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs. 5 lakh for approving the
proposal sent by the ITO and allowing the matter to rest. Shri Tripathi allegedly
threatened the complainant that in case the bribe amount was not paid, his case would
be referred for re-assessment. The complainant was directed by one Shri Manish
Kumar, Chartered Accountant to deliver the bribe money in the lobby of ITC Sonar
Bangla Hotel. Later, the complainant was advised by Shri Manish Kumar to speak with
Shri Tripathi who in turn directed the complainant to hand over the bribe amount at his
official residence. During the course of search operation by CBI, the bribe amount of
Rs. 5 lakh was recovered from the official residence of Shri Kamlesh Kumar Tripathi.
Hand wash of Shri Manish Kumar as well as Shri Kamlesh Kumar Tripathi had turned
pink indicating that they had accepted treated currency notes.
15. Shri S.R. Senapati, Addl. CIT: Shri Alok Nath, the then ITO Ward 2(1), Bhubaneswar
conducted an illegal survey on a company named M/s. ARSS Stones Pvt. Ltd. on
12.08.2002 even when the case was not within his jurisdiction. The fact of conduct of
survey without jurisdiction by Shri Alok Nath, the then ITO Ward 2(1), Bhubaneswar
was within the knowledge of Shri S.R. Senapati (90059), the then JCIT, Range-2,
Bhubaneswar. Shri Senapati wrote a D.O. letter to the then CIT, Bhubaneswar and
misled him by indicating that the documents impounded during the said survey were
being scrutinized by the ITO/ACIT concerned, whereas the impounded documents had
already been returned to the assessee by Shri Alok Nath, on 30.08.2002. Shri S. R.
Senapati failed to prevent the return of impounded documents to the assessee and also
failed to get the impounded documents transferred to the jurisdictional ACIT.
O P Meena, Pr. CIT; Sailendra Mamidi; P K Bajaj, CIT; Sanjeev Ghei, JCIT; K Jayaprakash, ACIT (HQs); V Appala Raju, Addl. CIT; Rakesh H. Sharma, ACIT; Nitin Garg then DCIT, Sirsa, Haryana; S A Fazululla, DCIT; Kripa Sagar Das, DCIT; P Jose Kunjippalu, ACIT (OSD); C J Vincent, ACIT (OSD); T K Bhattacharya DCIT, Ludhiana; Kamlesh Kumar Tripathi, JCIT and S R Senapati, Addl. CIT.
…
These are the gentlemen fired by govt. Many have been in Mumbai.
Worst is one of the above was an Ex-Serviceman & was selected to be Accountant Member in ITAT.
As rightly commented by mr kothari it is the rule of the day not to dispose off the case & do the repeated adjournment .some of cit appeals do not pass the orders for months n even years unless they are bribed
In addition to sacking them their ill gotten loots should be consficated
A positive action like the one suggested will go a long way in bringing the rampant corruption under control
Please publish list of such officers.
There are very few tax officers who are honest in real sense.
Merely passing order in favor of revenue is not evidence of honesty.
Many orders in favor of revenue are passed because the tax officer is highly dishonest, he demands high bribes when not received appeal is dismissed or claims are not allowed.
There are cases when in e-proceeding orders adverse to assessed are passed without taking any note of submissions in e-proceedings and also when copies were sent by email also.
How to identify dishonest officers? some tips:
1. Hear matters several times but do not pass orders.
2. Either allow all claims ( when bribe is received) or do not allow any claim except where SC order is in favour of assessee. Some officers even ignore judgments of the SC and HC and make additions or confirm additions.
3. Departmental authorities are well aware of such officers who have huge ill gotten money but not steps are taken either by concerned department and also investigation agencies of government. As per grapevine this is because there is corruption every where where officers are in interaction with public.
4. Even in e-proceedings such corruption is noticeable.
Make huge additions
By the time it reaches finality 20 years pass by
The advantage that these corrupt officers know is the departments are required to file appeals against adverse orders
The higher officers do not apply their mind for fear of being snubbed by their seniors
Let the dept take a few cases for test
Where additions were made and the result of such orders
They will be surprised that not many cases were upheld beyond the HIgh court stage
The dept is paying huge fees for the counsels and many cases it will be seen they have not been able to collect the fees payable to these counsels
Jagtar si.ngh who retired can’t coimbatore made several crore when he was posted as cit appl at indore as well on Mumbai -8
The pity he is so incompetent. even to pass wrong orders and.managed himself.a rectification.what can’t can do.against.these thugs
Commit murders commit frauds
Get money under the table satisfy the desires of the boss and get all the retirement benefits
This is dharma of the dept
Fortunately they were also shareholders on the scheme of things
rightly said.
JUST 250 COMPLAINS FILED FROM PAST 3 YEARS AGAINST MR INDRJEET SINGH COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX WHO DID UTMOST CORRUPTED AND INDECENT BEHAVIOR AS COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX APPEALS,BUT NO CONCRETE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST HIM
The govt needs to attach all the properties of such officers
hang them from the nearest lamp post ‘as the first PM Jawharlal Nehru’ had said.
What is the next step of action against these and other corrupt officials.
What’s the point in sending them back home now when some of them are in the fag end of their career and would have minted money already. Instead, DA case should be slapped on them.
The greatest joke of the year
They become entitled to all the befits of retirement
May God bless the administration