The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against six individuals, including five officials from the Income Tax Department in Hyderabad—two Income Tax Inspectors and three Senior Tax Assistants—along with a private Chartered Accountant (CA). The case involves allegations of cheating Income Tax assessees and obtaining undue advantages through fraudulent means.
Allegations Against the Accused
The accused officials allegedly misused confidential data circulated within the Income Tax Department, particularly information on taxpayers who had claimed high IT refunds. This data was intended for initiating official inquiries, but instead, the accused:
- Illegally accessed taxpayer data and contacted them directly over the phone.
- Threatened taxpayers with hefty penalties to create fear and pressure them.
- Coerced assessees into making illegal payments, which were first deposited into the private CA’s account and later transferred to the accused officials.
CBI Raids and Evidence Collection
The CBI conducted searches at six locations in Hyderabad, including the residences and offices of the accused, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents.
Current Status
The investigation is ongoing, and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected.