CBI ARRESTS AN ASSISTANT VALUATION OFFICER OF INCOME TAX AND AN AUDITOR/CA ON THE ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY OF RS. 2.25 LAKH
The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested an Assistant Valuation Officer, Income Tax Valuation Cell, Chennai and an Auditor/Chartered Accountant in a bribery of Rs. 2.25 Lakh.
A case was registered against a Superintending Engineer, CPWD, Chennai (also a District Valuation Officer, IT Valuation Cell, Chennai) and others including an Assistant Valuation Officer, IT Valuation Cell, Chennai ; an Auditor & an Assessee/ Property Owner on the allegations of bribery.
It was alleged that an Assessee/Property Owner had declared in his Income Tax Returns high value property transactions in respect of his property in Chennai which was referred to the Income Tax Valuation Cell by National Faceless Assessment Centre (National e Assessment Centre), New Delhi. It was further alleged that the Assistant Valuation Officer(AVO), IT Valuation Cell, Chennai had inspected the said property and observed difference in the value of the property. The Competent Authority in finalizing the valuation was a Superintending Engineer (Planning), CPWD, Chennai who was holding charge of District Valuation Officer(DVO), IT Valuation Cell, Chennai. It was also alleged that the Income Tax Valuation Cell officials had demanded bribe of Rs.3.50 lakh from the Property Owner for showing official favour, who had sent the money through his Auditor/CA to be delivered to said AVO.
CBI intercepted the Assistant Valuation Officer, Income Tax and the said Auditor while the alleged undue advantage/ bribe amount was paid. An amount of Rs.2.25 lakhs was recovered from the AVO and the favourable letter/order in respect of the said property was recovered from the Chartered Accountant.
Searches were conducted at the premises of the accused which led to recovery of incriminating documents / articles. A cash of Rs.9 lakh from the possession of said AVO and a cash of Rs. 1.25 lakh from the possession of said Auditor were found. It was alleged that Rs.1.25 lakh out of total bribe of Rs.3.50 lakh was taken by the Auditor/CA as his charges for mediation by him in the matter.
Both the arrested accused were produced before the Competent Court and were remanded to Judicial Custody.
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