CBI Arrests Hyderabad Income Tax Commissioner and Four Others in Rs.70 Lakh Bribery Case

In a major crackdown on corruption, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five people, including the Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption) from Hyderabad, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹70 lakh. This bribe was meant to help settle an appeal in favor of a private party.

According to an official statement from the CBI, a case was registered on Friday against Jeevan Lal Lavidiya, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions), Hyderabad. Lavidiya also holds additional charge as Commissioner of Income Tax for Appeals Unit-7 and Appeals Unit-8 under the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax. Along with Lavidiya, the case involves 14 other individuals and entities.

The CBI alleges that Lavidiya, in collaboration with middlemen, was involved in corrupt activities. He was reportedly taking bribes to provide illegal favors and settle appeals in favor of private individuals or companies whose cases were waiting for his decision.

CBI Catches Middleman Red-Handed

Acting on the information, the CBI set up a trap in Mumbai. They caught one of the middlemen while he was accepting ₹70 lakh from a private party on behalf of the Commissioner. This led to the immediate arrest of the Commissioner and his associates in Hyderabad.

Searches and Cash Seized Across Cities

The CBI has carried out searches at 18 different locations, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Khammam, Visakhapatnam, and New Delhi. During these searches, the agency recovered several incriminating documents and items. They also seized cash worth ₹69 lakh in addition to the ₹70 lakh bribe money. The searches are still going on, and the CBI expects to uncover more evidence.

Accused Produced in Court

The people arrested in Mumbai are being presented before the Special CBI Court in Mumbai. Those arrested in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will be presented before the respective courts in those states.