GUWAHATI: A commissioner of Income Tax (Audit), Guwahati, Swetabh Suman, an Income Tax Officer (Audit), Guwahati, Pratap Das and two others have been arrested by the CBI on Friday on corruption charges (evasion of tax). Suman was arrested from New Delhi, while the others were arrested here, CBI sources said.
The arrests were preceded by raids by the CBI at different places, including Guwahati, New Delhi, Jorhat and Noida yesterday, on basis of an FIR registered against those arrested and others.
Suman and Das had allegedly settled an Income Tax assessment in favour of businessman Suresh Agarwala in return of monetary gratification to the tune of Rs 50 lakh. Agarwala, two chartered accountants-advocates and unknown others have been named in the FIR.
Rs 40 lakh meant for payment was seized from Agarwala’s office during the raids. Agarwala and one of the chartered accountant have also been arrested.
CBI sources revealed that during 2017-18, Dr Swetabh Suman, Commissioner of Income Tax (Audit), Guwahati with additional charge of Jorhat, has entered into a criminal conspiracy with Pratap Das, Income Tax Officer(Audit), Ramesh Goenka, an Advocate & Chartered Accountant, Amit Goenka, Advocate & Chartered Accountant, Suresh Agarwala, Director of M/s Win Power Infra Pvt. Ltd., Jorhat having offices at Guwahati and Delhi and unknown others.
In pursuance there of Dr Swetabh Suman agreed to show undue favour to Suresh Agarwalla, by passing favourable order in an appeal arising out of assessment done in respect of one of the shell company of Suresh Agarwalla and for this undue favour being shown abusing their official position Dr. Swetabh Suman made attempts to obtain illegal gratification to the tune of Rs 50 lakhs for himself and Pratap Das through Ramesh Goenka and Amit Goenka.
An FIR bearing No.RC0172018A0005 dated April 4, 2018 u/s 7,11 &12 and 13(2) r/w Sec13(1)(d) of PC Act and Section120 B of IPC was registered against the Accused persons as mentioned above.
Searches were conducted in Guwahati, Jorhat, Nagaon, Shilong, Noida, Delhi and Some other places and which are still going on. Some incriminating documents have been received. In the morning Rs40 Lakhs meant for the accused IT Officials, was seized from middleman.