The CBDT has initiated an inquiry against one of its Principal Chief Commissioners and three other Income Tax Officers (ITOs) who were recently arrested by the CBI from various parts of the country on bribery charges.
Official sources said the inquiry has been ordered by the apex policy making body of the Income Tax department – the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) — against Pr. CC of Jodhpur P K Sharma, ITO Shailendra Bhandari, another ITO posted in Lucknow Niranjan Kumar and a woman ITO working in Mumbai.
“This is an internal inquiry which has been ordered after the officials were arrested by CBI on charges of taking bribe in two separate incidents. The officials have been placed under suspension as per extant government rules,” they said.
The charge of Pr. CC Jodhpur has also been given to a similar ranking official posted in Rajasthan area, they said.
The first incident relates to Sharma and Bhandari who were arrested by CBI on April 1 for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs. 15 lakh, received by a local jeweller on their behalf.
The second incident involves Kumar who was arrested by CBI on March 31 while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs. two lakh from a person in Lucknow.
The third incident is in connection with the arrest of a woman ITO in Mumbai by CBI on similar charges.
