In India, officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Revenue Service (IRS) hold positions of immense responsibility, shaping governance, law enforcement, and fiscal integrity. Despite their prestigious roles, some officers have faced imprisonment over the past 15 years due to corruption, fraud, or misconduct.
Legal provisions like the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and service conduct rules, coupled with vigilance inquiries and criminal investigations, ensure accountability. This article details nineteen cases of IAS, IPS, and IRS officers jailed in the last 15 years, including four additional IRS officers, and provides guidance on reporting corruption to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Notable Cases of Convicted Officers
IAS Officers
1. S Malarvizhi (IAS): As District Collector of Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, Malarvizhi misappropriated ₹1.31 crore in public funds. She was charged under Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for obtaining pecuniary advantage through corrupt means, and IPC Section 120B for criminal conspiracy. Her actions violated Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, mandating integrity. A Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) probe led to her conviction.
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2. T.O. Sooraj (IAS): This Kerala cadre officer was implicated in abetting riots and land grabbing. Vigilance raids uncovered ₹30 crore in disproportionate assets, leading to charges under IPC Sections 420 (cheating) and 467 (forgery). He violated Rule 16 of the Conduct Rules, prohibiting unauthorized property acquisition. A CVC inquiry triggered his arrest.
3. Rakesh Bahadur (IAS): As Noida Authority Chairman, Bahadur was arrested in 2009 for a ₹4000 crore land scam. Charged under IPC Sections 420 and 471 (using forged documents), he breached Rule 4 of the Conduct Rules, barring misuse of position. A CBI investigation, initiated by a vigilance probe, led to his imprisonment.
4. Subhash Ahluwalia (IAS): This Punjab cadre officer was jailed for amassing disproportionate assets. Charged under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for illicit wealth, he violated Rule 16(3) of the Conduct Rules, requiring asset declaration. A CVC inquiry confirmed his misconduct.
5. Rakesh Kumar Jain (IAS): Jailed in 2010 for accepting a ₹7.5 lakh bribe in Rajasthan, Jain was convicted under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act for illegal gratification. He breached Rule 3(1)(i) of the Conduct Rules, emphasizing honest conduct. An Anti-Corruption Bureau sting led to his arrest.
6. Y Srilakshmi (IAS): Implicated in the Obulapuram Mining Scam, Andhra Pradesh, Srilakshmi facilitated illegal mining. Charged under IPC Sections 420 and 409 (criminal breach of trust) and Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, she violated Rule 3(2) of the Conduct Rules, prohibiting favoritism. A CBI probe resulted in her imprisonment.
7. Dhanunjaya Reddy (IAS): Arrested in 2024 for a liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh, Reddy faced charges under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for abusing public office. He violated Rule 7 of the Conduct Rules, restricting unauthorized business dealings. A state vigilance probe led to his conviction.
8. Sanjeev Hans (IAS): Jailed in 2025 for amassing wealth through dubious contracts, Hans was charged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), and Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He violated Rule 16(1) of the Conduct Rules. An Enforcement Directorate probe, following a CVC tip-off, led to his arrest.
9. Unnamed IAS Couple (1971 Batch): Dismissed and jailed for disproportionate assets, this couple faced charges under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Their failure to declare assets violated Rule 16(3) of the Conduct Rules. A CBI raid, initiated by a CVC inquiry, uncovered unaccounted wealth.
IPS Officers Jailed in the Last Five Years
10. Gurjinder Pal Singh (IPS): A 1996-batch Chhattisgarh cadre officer, Singh was arrested in 2021 for disproportionate assets and sedition. Charged under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC Section 124A (sedition), he violated Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. The Supreme Court noted his proximity to the state government led to illegal wealth accumulation, as per a state Anti-Corruption Bureau probe.
11. PSR Anjaneyulu (IPS): A senior Andhra Pradesh cadre officer, Anjaneyulu was suspended and arrested in 2024 for the wrongful arrest of actor Kadambari Jethwani without sufficient evidence. Charged under IPC Section 342 (wrongful confinement), he violated Rule 3(1)(i) of the Conduct Rules. The Andhra Pradesh DGP’s report led to his judicial custody.
12. Kanthi Rana Tata (IPS): Arrested in 2024 alongside Anjaneyulu for the same wrongful arrest case, Tata was charged under IPC Section 342 and Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for abuse of authority. He breached Rule 4 of the Conduct Rules. The state government’s inquiry confirmed procedural irregularities.
13. Vishal Gunni (IPS): A Vijayawada Deputy Commissioner, Gunni was jailed in 2024 for his role in the Kadambari Jethwani case. Charged under IPC Section 342 and Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, he violated Rule 3(2) of the Conduct Rules, prohibiting favoritism. The suspension order cited disregard for investigative protocols.
14. Bhagyesh Kumar Jha (IPS): A 2010-batch Jharkhand cadre officer, Jha was arrested in 2023 for disproportionate assets worth ₹2 crore. Charged under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, he violated Rule 16(3) of the Conduct Rules. A CBI probe, initiated after a vigilance inquiry, led to his conviction.
IRS Officers Jailed in the Last 15 Years
15. Ranju Prasad (IRS): Jailed for a ₹10 crore fraud, Prasad was charged under IPC Sections 420 and 467. Despite claiming harassment, a vigilance inquiry confirmed misconduct, breaching Rule 3(1) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, applicable to IRS officers. A CBI investigation ensured her conviction.
16. Satish Kumar (IRS): A 1989-batch officer, Kumar was sentenced to five years in jail in 2014 for accepting an ₹8 lakh bribe from Mankind Pharma Ltd. Convicted under Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, he violated Rule 3(1) of the Conduct Rules. The CBI filed a chargesheet after a complaint in 2006, leading to his conviction. The court imposed a ₹50,000 fine, noting senior officers deserve stricter punishment.
17. Swetabh Suman (IRS): Jailed in 2018 for accepting a ₹40 lakh bribe in Assam, Suman was also convicted in 2019 for disproportionate assets worth ₹3.31 crore. Charged under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and PMLA, he violated Rule 16(3) of the Conduct Rules. CBI searches across 14 locations and a pending case for using a forged ration card to purchase a car led to his seven-year rigorous imprisonment.
18. Vijayendra (IRS): Arrested in 2025 as Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax for sabotaging the Faceless Scheme of Income Tax Assessment, Vijayendra was charged under Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC Section 120B for conspiring to collect bribes and leak confidential information. He violated Rule 3(1) of the Conduct Rules. CBI searches across 18 locations recovered incriminating evidence.
19. S K Srivastava (IRS): Jailed in 2012 for disproportionate assets and bribery, Srivastava was convicted under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. CBI investigations revealed assets worth crores, violating Rule 16(3) of the Conduct Rules. His case, linked to tax evasion facilitation, led to a five-year sentence.
Legal Framework and Accountability Mechanisms
The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, is the cornerstone for prosecuting corrupt public servants. Key sections include:
• Section 7: Penalizes accepting illegal gratification.
• Section 13(1)(d): Addresses abuse of office for pecuniary advantage.
• Section 13(1)(e): Targets disproportionate assets.
• Section 13(2): Prescribes imprisonment for criminal misconduct.
The IPC supplements with provisions like :
Sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery), 409 (criminal breach of trust), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 124A (sedition). The All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, govern IAS and IPS officers, mandating integrity (Rule 3), impartiality (Rule 4), asset declaration (Rule 16), and prohibiting favoritism (Rule 3(2)) or unauthorized business (Rule 7).
IRS officers adhere to the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, with similar provisions. The PMLA, 2002, addresses money laundering, as seen in Hans and Suman’s cases. The CVC, under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, oversees vigilance inquiries, while the CBI and ED handle complex cases, often after CVC referral. The Supreme Court’s ruling in Vineet Narain v. Union of India (1996) strengthened CVC’s supervisory role over CBI. State anti-corruption bureaus and vigilance departments ensure swift action.
How to Report Corruption
Citizens can report corruption involving IAS, IPS, or IRS officers to the CVC or CBI. Complaints must be specific, verifiable, and not sub-judice. Anonymous complaints are considered under the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution, 2004, protecting whistleblowers.
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
• Address: Satarkta Bhavan, Block-A, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi – 110023
• Phone: +91-11-24600200
• Email: cvc@nic.in
• Online Portal: [www.cvc.gov.in], “Lodge Complaint” section or Project VIGEYE portal for tracking.
• Process: Submit a written or online complaint with details. A complaint number is provided for tracking. Group A officers (IAS/IPS/IRS) are prioritized.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Address: Plot No. 5-B, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003
• Phone: +91-11-24302700, +91-11-24362755
• Email: sphq@cbi.gov.in (fraud), speou8del@cbi.gov.in (economic crimes), hobbsfdel@cbi.gov.in (bank fraud), speou9del@cbi.gov.in (cybercrime), information@cbi.gov.in (general).
• Online Portal: [www.cbi.gov.in], “Join Us” section for branch-specific reporting.
• Process: File complaints online, by post, or in person. CBI investigates Central Government employees under the Prevention of Corruption Act, often post-CVC referral.
Conclusion
These nineteen cases demonstrate that even elite officers face rigorous scrutiny under India’s robust legal framework. The Prevention of Corruption Act, IPC, and service conduct rules, enforced through CVC, CBI, and state vigilance mechanisms, ensure accountability.
Recent IPS cases highlight procedural lapses, while IRS cases often involve bribery and disproportionate assets. Citizens can play a vital role by reporting corruption through official channels, using the provided contact details and portals. This fosters transparency, upholds the rule of law, and reinforces public trust in governance, proving no officer is above accountability.