The CBI launched an investigation after a Hyderabad-based complainant, Lachchu Ray, alleged that officers from the income tax department had demanded a bribe of ₹2 lakh to return ₹13 lakh that had been previously seized from his brother-in-law, Premjit Kuma, at Patna airport. Ray claimed the accused also promised to halt further inquiry into the matter.
Based on the complaint, the CBI registered an FIR and initiated a sting operation against the officials involved.
Who Was Arrested?
The arrested individuals include a 2021-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and Assistant Director (Investigation) Aditya Saurabh, Income Tax Inspector Manish Kumar Pankaj, and multi-tasking staff member Shubham Raj. The operation took place near a dargah in Adalatganj, Patna, not far from the accused’s workplace.
The location was strategically chosen for the trap based on the complainant’s inputs and surveillance findings.
Caught Red-Handed During Trap Operation
As per CBI officials, the accused were caught red-handed while receiving the bribe money. The agency recovered the full ₹2 lakh amount during the operation. The money was reportedly being collected on behalf of the IRS officer by the other staff members.
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This swift action not only confirmed the allegations but also highlighted how lower and mid-level tax officers were allegedly operating on behalf of senior officials.
Aftermath: Custody and Continued Investigation
Following the arrests, searches were conducted at three locations in Patna related to the accused. All three officials were produced before the CBI special court, which remanded them to three-day CBI custody.
The CBI is continuing its investigation to uncover any wider network or pattern of corruption within the local tax administration. More arrests and revelations may follow as the probe progresses.