The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a press release regarding a case registered against Shri. G. E. Veerabhadrappa, Vice-President of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Mumbai u/s13(2) r/w 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 for alleged possession of unaccounted assets to the tune of Rs 3.92 crores. In response, Shri. G. E. Veerabhadrappa has issued a brief statement.
Press Release By The CBI:
CBI REGISTERS A CASE AGAINST VICE PRESIDENT OF INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL FOR POSSESSION OF ALLEGED DISPROPORTIONATE ASSETS
Press Release
New Delhi 25.07.2013The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case on 22.07.2013 against Vice-President, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Mumbai U/s.13(2) r/w 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act-1988 for possession of alleged assets to the tune of Rs.3.92 crores (approx) which was disproportionate to his known sources of income.
After registration of the case searches were conducted at two places in Bangalore and Mumbai. Incriminating documents recovered during the searches are being scrutinized.
The investigation is continuing.
Statement Of Shri. G. E. Veerabhadrappa
My name was cleared by Selection Committee in 2005 for the post of Vice-President in 2005 based on the Vigilance clearance on records.
My name was also considered for the post of Sr. Vice-President along with Sri Easwar obviously on the basis of clearance in 2009. Sri Eawar was selected being senior to me. I was not rejected on any Vigilance pending against me in 2009.
When Sri Easwar was elevated, I was promoted as officiating President on 14.11.2011. Subsequently, it was put up for approval of the ACC alongwith Vigilance clearance which was approved by ACC meaning that I was cleared from Vigilance angle also in 2011. Between 2011 to 2013, I have not acquired any asset which is not explained. How come all my property existing is disproportionate to all known sources of income.
(G.E.Veerabhadrappa)
This is all vengeance and connection of Mrs DIVA SINGH who for her motives wants to remain in ITAT Delhi for her entire career
The officer who was allegedly caught red handed by the CBI in May 2008 still lives in a his official accommodation and he also gets 75% of a normal serving Officer’s salary as ‘living allowance’ during suspension period. If anything, not taking any work from him but continuing to have him in employment, is a wastage of funds. Rs 2,00,000 approximately every month, being spent for last 60 months, for this officer’s doing nothing. One would see logic in as well reinstating him and taking some work from him.
In the alleged corruption cases, the right course perhaps would be to conduct a judicial inquiry, by a sitting judge or by the new ITAT President who will, in all probability, be a senior High Court judge, and summarily dismiss the officers who are found guilty. As the law stands today, any Government servant can be given voluntary retirement once he reaches the age of 50, or he can be summarily dismissed under Presidential pleasure clause under Article 311 (2)(c) of the Constitution of India. Same way his pension ( which is also 50% of last salary) can also be stopped by this inhouse exercise. No trial; no reasons to be communicated. That would at least save wastage of Government funds and that persons found innocent in inhouse inquiries are not troubled by the investigation agencies. Hon’ble Supreme Court has approved the same for judicial officers also in the case of Ajit Kumar Vs State of Jharkhand (2011) 11 SCC 458. The criminal cases should be resorted to after this exercise.
Legal system of the Country presumes, no person is guilty till he is convicted. Hence, issuing premature press release by government departmetns should be prohibited as innocent persons can not recoup the torture and agony sufferred after they are proved NOT GUILTY.
Both, the press release of the CBI and response thereto issued by Mr. Veerabhaadrappa are laughable. The so-called disproportionate asset of Rs.3.92 crore is a joke. The real reason is something else and the same is not visible in the press release. In terms of the clear observations made by the CAT, issues touching the ‘integrity’ are being investigated by the CBI. Hence, the amount of Rs.3.92 crore does not fit in this basic charge. When the some of the judges of the High Courts are involved in corruption charges including PF scam, there is no reason to pretend all is well in the ITAT. Regarding Mr. Veerabhadrappa, he himself is speechless on how and why my Intervening Application filed in 2006 went missing from his chambers. When I filed RTI application in this regard, during the hearing of my application in the chambers of Mr. K C Singhal, the then PIO at ITAT Mumbai, the Asst. Registrar said that he had sent the file to Mr. Veerabhadrappa and the file never came back to him. Mr. K C Singhal requested me to withdraw my RTI as he did not want any scandal to break out as the issue involved was destruction of court records involving criminal investigation. This is far serious than mere finding of some assets worth Rs.3.92 crore. In this materialistic world, no one can claim to be a saint. Hence, there is no point in rallying around Mr. Veerabhadrappa and championing his cause. Instead, presurrise CBI to come clear on the real matters being investigated against Mr. Veerabhadrappa.
If CBI really intrested to curbe corruption then come and see in the Income tax department Ward 49(1) TDS Laxmi Nagar. Where ITO (Sh. S.P. Ahuja, Sh Ashok Kumar)saving tax eveder company Accord Financial Services since last 3 years. they are not giving any reply of my complaints and not giving proper reply of my RTI.
Lets put 3.92 crore in perspective of someone who has had a past career of 15 years as a practicing Chartered Accountant and about 20 years in Service at ITAT. I am sure he would have made some smart investments and put this in perspective with present valuations, you see ads on the roads about apartments starting at 4 crore onwards. So what is 3.92 crores really? You pick up any god-damn person who has had a normal career of 30 years and valuate his assets, I am sure you will be able to easily make a case for disproportionate assets to this tune easily.. even for a salaried private sector employee for that matter !
Shri Veerbhadrappa is known to be a man of integrity, ability and standing. CBI’s release cannot shake our confidence in respect of him. Defaming tactics
IF CBI IS INDEPENDENT THEN THEY SHOULD RAID ALL THE POLITICIANS AND I AM SURE THAT THEY WILL NOT GO WRONG ANY TIME. IF THEY CONDUCT 1000 RAIDS THEY WILL GO RIGHT IN 999 RAIDS. IT IS A OPEN SECRET THAT OUR POLITICIANS ARE WORTH 100’S OF CRORE.HOW CAN WE HAVE A LEADER AGAINST WHOM CRIMINAL CASES ARE PENDING. WE HAVE ABHISHEK MANU SINGHAVI, DIGVIJAY SINGH , MR. TIWARI AGAINST WHOM SOME CASES ARE PENDING FOR SECOOND WIFE AND SO ON.
I AM SURPRISED HOW ONE CAN FACE THE SOCIETY AND EVEN LADIES IN THE FAMILY
Let us not pretend that ITAT Members do not take money to pass Orders. Those who practice in ITAT know what is happening there. This CBI Action will send a message to the Corrupt Members. The ITAT needs to be restored to its true glory – A Temple of Justice.
it is a sad state of affairs of the ITAT at present. Most of the members now are not above board and needs thorogh cleansing.
This is utter nonsense…. clearly this shows that the CBI is no more an independent agency and is acting on someone’s whims, otherwise don’t think that they can go investigating on a person for mere 3.92 crores. Surprising that they can put their valuable resources to work and spend more than crores together on this investigation. Shows that since they can go behind a person for 3.92 crores, then every ordinary hard working common man will be targetted and as usual the ‘high networth’ ppl are out of its net.
3.92 Crores?!?! Are these guys joking? Doesnt CBI have no other work than pursue these kind of cases or they are on a witch hunting spree ?
CBI is perhaps doing its job I suppose and since they have searched the premises they ought to safeguard their stand irrespective of the reality in the case and hence such statement from them. It is sad that there is so much of politics around that the complainant chose such a time for such complaint that has marred the hard earned respect of the person in one shot. It is the timing that is condemnable and some correction must be made in the inquiry procedures to do away with such occurances at the time of anyone’s retirement when one is expecting a happy send-off. unfortunate it is. anyways it is only an allegation and no charge is proved. and the bar in Delhi and Bombay have no good reason to not to bid customary farewell to him for the stupid politics. I wish him good luck so that he is able to prove himself. rgds
gopal nathani
This is pure witch hunting. CBI without being able to search the premises of influential politicians against whom tonnes of informations are available, have searched the Sr. VP ITAT only a couple of days before his retirement. This is condemnable.
sorry, Assets went up as property prices shot up just like any puppetry; when assets are that way shot up naturally, the disproportionate cases can come up. so CBI need to see how values are shooting up. when still assets had come other unaccounted sources naturally prevention corruption Act is okay in application i think. regards