New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a 2017 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from his residence for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 45 lakh to settle an Income Tax notice.
Anil Kumar Singal was arrested on the basis of a complaint by Sanam Kapoor, owner of La Pinos, a food franchise chain. Kapoor claimed that he started receiving official notices after falling out with a Mumbai-based franchisee, with who he had entered into an agreement in 2017.
Kapoor has claimed that the Mumbai businessman he tied up with is named Harsh Kotak. Singal’s mother was apparently Kotak’s partner.
“Trouble began last year after my client discovered that Kotak had started procuring raw materials from other sources at cheaper rates, violating their agreement. Though we had the option to terminate the franchisee contract, they coerced us into buying it back for Rs 1.6 crore. This was more than six times the original value of Rs 25 lakh,” Kapoor’s counsel Gagandeep Singh Jammu said.
This wasn’t the end of it. Jammu claims that his client soon started receiving multiple notices, both from the Income Tax as well as food safety departments. The lawyer alleged that Singal demanded Rs 45 lakh to “close” the I-T matter, following which they approached the CBI.
Kotak met Kapoor in Chandigarh on Friday and called him to Singal’s Mohali residence on Saturday to receive part payment. Om that day, the CBI arrested Kotak, even as he was accepted Rs 25 lakh from Kapoor. In the evening, a CBI team arrested Singal and seized 2.5 kg of gold ornaments and Rs 30 lakh in cash from his residence.
