On May 31, 2025, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Amit Kumar Singal, a 2007-batch senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, in a high-profile bribery case. Singal, who was serving as Additional Director General in the Directorate of Taxpayer Services, is accused of soliciting ₹45 lakh from a complainant in exchange for favorable treatment in an income tax matter.
According to CBI sources, the complainant had reported that Singal initially demanded the bribe through a private individual, Harsh Kotak. On Saturday, Kotak was caught red-handed while accepting the first installment of ₹25 lakh in Mohali. Following this, the CBI arrested Singal from his residence in Vasant Kunj, Delhi. The operation was conducted with precision after corroborating communications and patterns of alleged coercion.
Multi-City Raids Uncover Hidden Wealth
Following the arrests, the CBI launched coordinated raids across multiple cities — including Delhi, Mumbai, and Punjab — targeting premises linked to the accused. These raids led to the seizure of a stunning cache of assets: 3.5 kilograms of gold, 2 kilograms of silver, ₹1 crore in unaccounted cash, and documents related to at least 25 bank accounts.
Investigators also discovered details of a locker and papers connected to properties in Delhi, Mumbai, and Punjab. A forensic analysis is underway to determine the total value and source of these assets. The scale and geographic spread of the raids suggest a pattern of long-standing financial irregularities possibly extending beyond the current bribery case.
The CBI has initiated further financial scrutiny to determine whether the seized wealth represents the tip of a larger corruption iceberg involving other officials or shell entities.
Legal Action and Broader Implications
On June 1, both Amit Singal and Harsh Kotak were produced in court, where they were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. The court recognized the gravity of the allegations and allowed extended detention to facilitate the investigation. Meanwhile, the CBI is expected to interrogate the duo to uncover possible networks of corruption and tax evasion.
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The case has sparked significant public and political interest, as it highlights systemic vulnerabilities in one of the country’s most critical administrative services. It also raises troubling questions about the integrity of high-ranking officers tasked with enforcing the law. Notably, Singal held a sensitive post at the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which increases the stakes for institutional accountability.
This case also comes amid rising demands for structural reforms within India’s revenue services and stricter enforcement of anti-corruption protocols.
The arrest of a senior IRS officer, the massive seizures, and the unfolding investigation present a sobering reminder of the need for rigorous oversight in public offices. As CBI deepens its probe into the source of assets and the broader network involved, this case may become a landmark in the fight against institutional corruption in India. The nation now watches closely as the judiciary and investigative agencies move forward — one raid, one revelation at a time.