What is the Fate of the Senior Income Tax Official in the Rs 15 Lakh Bribery Case?
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Synopsis
A senior Income Tax official in Jodhpur has been sentenced to four years in prison for accepting a bribe of Rs 15 lakh. This significant ruling by the Special CBI Court raises questions about corruption within government ranks. What does this mean for the future of integrity in public service?
Key Takeaways
- Significant prison sentences for corruption.
- CBI's proactive approach in tackling corruption.
- Importance of integrity in public offices.
- Impact of such cases on public trust.
- Need for continuous reforms to prevent corruption.
Jodhpur, Sep 26 (NationPress) A Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, who was apprehended for accepting a bribe of Rs 15 lakh, has been sentenced to four years in prison, along with a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh, by a Special CBI Court in Jodhpur, as stated by an official.
In this decade-old case, one of his associates in the Income Tax department received a similar sentence, according to the CBI official.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated proceedings against P.K. Sharma, the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in Jodhpur, Shailendra Bhandari, an Income Tax Officer (ITO), and others on March 31, 2015.
The CBI executed a sting operation and apprehended Chandra Prakash, also known as Chandu, a private individual, while he was in the act of accepting a bribe of Rs 15 lakh from a complainant.
During the investigation, it was disclosed that he had gathered the bribe under the instructions of Bhandari and Sharma, as per the CBI's statement.
Following the recovery of the funds from Chandra Prakash and subsequent discussions among him, Shailendra Bhandari, and P.K. Sharma, all three were arrested by the investigative agency.
Upon concluding the investigation, a charge-sheet was submitted against all three individuals in the Special CBI Court, Jodhpur.
After the trial, the Special Court acquitted Chandra Prakash of all charges.
On Friday, the Special Court found the CCIT and ITO of Jodhpur guilty, sentencing them to four years’ imprisonment and imposing a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh each, as reported.
In an unrelated corruption case, a CBI court in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur convicted and sentenced a former Sub-Post Master of Khimlasa Sub Post Office, Sagar district, to five years’ rigorous imprisonment for misappropriating over Rs 70 lakh from depositors’ accounts.
The court sentenced Vishal Kumar Ahirwar, who served at the post office between 2020 and 2022, to five years’ rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 32,000.
According to the CBI, a case was registered against Ahirwar on November 17, 2022, following allegations that he misused his official position to divert funds through manipulated withdrawal processes.
Point of View
This case highlights the persistent issue of corruption within government institutions. The sentencing of these officials not only serves as a cautionary tale but also emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and reform to uphold integrity in public service. NationPress remains committed to covering stories that matter to our readers.
NationPress
26/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the bribe amount involved in the case?
The bribe amount involved in the case was Rs 15 lakh.
What was the outcome for the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax?
The Chief Commissioner of Income Tax was sentenced to four years in prison and fined Rs 1.10 lakh.
Who else was sentenced alongside the Chief Commissioner?
Shailendra Bhandari, an Income Tax Officer, was also sentenced to four years in prison with a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh.
What other corruption case was mentioned?
A former Sub-Post Master was convicted for misappropriating over Rs 70 lakh from depositors' accounts.
When was the case against the Chief Commissioner registered?
The case against the Chief Commissioner was registered on March 31, 2015.
