A Delhi court has extended the custody of a senior Income Tax official and a chartered accountant by three more days in connection with an alleged bribery case linked to the Faceless Assessment Scheme of the Income Tax Department.
IRS Officer and CA Accused
Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax Vijayendra R and chartered accountant Dinesh Kumar Agarwal were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly manipulating the faceless assessment process. According to the CBI, the two conspired to solicit bribes from taxpayers in exchange for favorable tax assessments.
Investigators claim the accused leaked confidential information—such as the identities of assessment officers and sensitive case details—to influence outcomes, thereby defeating the core purpose of the faceless scheme, which was designed to ensure impartiality and eliminate corruption.
CBI Launches Nationwide
The arrests are part of a larger investigation involving multiple tax officials and intermediaries. The CBI has conducted searches at 18 locations across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kottayam. Officials reportedly seized incriminating documents, digital evidence, and communication records that point to a wider network of corruption.
Scheme Aimed at Transparency
Launched by the government to enhance transparency and accountability, the Faceless Assessment Scheme assigns tax cases randomly to officers with no direct interaction between taxpayers and assessors. The current case has raised serious concerns about the system’s vulnerability to internal sabotage.
Custody Extension Aimed
The court’s decision to extend the custody period is intended to allow the CBI more time to uncover the full scope of the alleged conspiracy. The agency is expected to interrogate additional suspects and trace the money trail in the coming days.
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