CBI Arrests Income Tax Officer, CA in Faceless Tax Scheme Data Leak
By Author | April 27, 2025
CBI | Recent Tax News
CBI Cracks Down on Income Tax Department Leak
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a deputy commissioner of the Income Tax Department and a chartered accountant for leaking sensitive information about pending assessments. They allegedly bypassed the faceless assessment system to share insider details with a group of chartered accountants.
Arrests Made in Delhi and Gujarat
Deputy Commissioner Vijayendra R., a 2015-batch IRS officer posted at Jhandewalan office in Delhi, was arrested on Friday. Chartered accountant Dinesh Kumar Agarwal was arrested in Bharuch, Gujarat.
The CBI said that the arrests followed evidence showing the accused shared confidential information about pending high-value assessment and appeal cases in exchange for bribes.
Faceless Assessment Scheme Undermined
The government had introduced the Faceless Assessment Scheme to eliminate human interface in tax assessments. Under this system, the assessee does not know who is assessing their case. It aims to increase transparency, limit discretion, and prevent corruption.
However, the arrested individuals gathered and leaked insider details, such as the name of the assessment officer and the issues under scrutiny, directly to assessees.
More Chartered Accountants Under Investigation
Following a complaint by the Director General of Income Tax (DGIT), the CBI registered an FIR on February 4, 2025. Those booked include:
- Vijayendra R. (Deputy Commissioner, New Delhi)
- I-T Inspectors Dinesh Kumar Verma and Binayak Sharma
- Chartered Accountant Dinesh Kumar Agrawal
Other CAs involved are Shivratan Mangelal Singrodia, Bhavesh Rakholia, Prathik Lenin, Malik Girish Anand, and Sushil Kumar.
The investigation is ongoing.
