‘Corrupt’ IT commissioner in CBI net

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested an income tax commissioner Daya Shankar in Mumbai for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a private company for passing a favourable order in an appeal matter.

"Shankar, commissioner IT (appeals), was arrested this morning from his office in Bandra for demanding and accepting bribe for settling and issuing a favourable order in an appeal matter pending before him," CBI joint director (western region) Rishiraj Singh told reporters.

A firm engaged in copper wire manufacturing had filed its return for assessment year 2008-09, and was slapped with additional tax liabilities. Aggrieved, the manufacturer approached Shankar to file a plea, challenging the order.

"Earlier, Shankar demanded a bribe of Rs 25 lakh from the company for issuing a favourable assessment order. He also told them that if they don’t pay the money, then he would go by the original order," said an officer.

However, later the deal was settled at Rs two lakh. CBI’s anti-corruption wing laid a trap after the company filed a complaint, and Shankar was caught while accepting the bribe.

"Searches are being conducted at the officer’s residences in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Lucknow and Mumbai. So far, we have recovered Rs 8 lakh in cash from his residence. We are investigating if the accused had taken money earlier for passing favourable orders," Singh added.

The accused would be produced before a special CBI court for remand on Tuesday.