CID closes in on officials in Bodhan tax scam

Hyderabad: The CID probe has identified about 5,500 fake challans in Bodhan commercial taxes scam that rocked the state in 2016.

The findings were referred to the treasury department to ascertain how much tax amount — that was meant to be paid to the government — was siphoned off by brokers in nexus with the local commercial taxes officials by using fake challans. 

The treasury department has been asked to submit a report in this matter within a week. Preliminary investigations have revealed that a tax amount of Rs 230 crore was siphoned off with the help of challans.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had ordered CID probe into the issue in 2016. However, the probe could not be completed owing to the non-cooperation of some officials in commercial taxes department who allegedly tried to save their colleagues involved in swindling tax money.

The CID brought this issue to the notice of chief secretary S.P. Singh, who in turn approached the CM about officials not cooperating with the CID in the probe. The CM took serious view of the issue and asked the Chief Secretary to initiate stringent action against officials who were trying to block the probe. This made the commercial taxes officials fall in line and produce all the challans that were issued since 2004 before the CID. 

After scrutinising all of them, the CID identified about 5,500 to be counterfeit and referred these to the treasury department to ascertain how much amount was siphoned off.

According to details of the case, traders who did not pay tax or paid only part of it were issued fake challans by brokers in connivance with some commercial tax officials to make it look like they had paid taxes in full. 

In return, brokers and officials allegedly collected large sums in bribes from traders. Eight officials of the commercial taxes department were arrested some time ago. The CID has been awaiting the report from the treasury department after which it will file cases against tax department officials.