IRS official convicted in forgery-cum-corruption case, gets bail

An Indian Revenue Services (IRS) official posted at the Indian High Commission in Tanzania was on Wednesday sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail by a special court here for misappropriation of visa fees. The court, however, granted him bail pending his appeal in the Delhi High Court.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Rakesh Syal sentenced Rajeshwar Singhal in a forgery-cum-corruption case.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs.4 lakh on Singhal, who was posted as the first secretary in the high commission in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania from 1997 to 2000.

He was convicted by the court last week under various charges dealing with criminal breach of trust, forgery of the Indian Penal Code and criminal misconduct under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

However, the court granted him bail after he said he will file an appeal before the Delhi High Court.

Singhal prayed that the sentence be suspended and he be released on bail till filing of the appeal.

"Application is allowed and he is admitted to bail till November 29, 2015 subject to his furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs.50,000 with one surety in the like amount and subject to deposit of fine," the court said.

The CBI charge sheet accused Singhal of misappropriating money while acting as first secretary.

The agency alleged that during his posting at Dar es Salaam, Singhal issued visas to applicants by falsifying the receipts of various categories.