The bribery scandal that has enveloped the Income Tax (I-T) Department in the State got murkier on Tuesday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigating the “backhander for favourable tax assessment” case told its special court here that more “undisclosed conduits” for corruption existed in the department and outside. They were centred on the office of the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Thiruvananthapuram.
Opposing the bail plea of I-T Principal Commissioner Sailendra Mamidi and officer Sarath, the CBI said their release would be detrimental to the investigation.
Sarath, a resident of the capital, was well-connected. He could influence witnesses and potential complainants, and Sailendra was a ranking I-T official who wielded considerable social and departmental clout. The accused were part of a network that involved hitherto unidentified chartered accountants, I-T officials and influential businessmen.
The agency’s case was that the suspects had demanded R.10 lakh as bribe for finalising I-T assessment in the favour of Joy Thomas of Powath Jewellery. Sailendra was holding additional charge as I-T Commissioner, Kottayam, and that Sarath had negotiated the kickback at the behest of his superior.
