HC asks CBI to conduct PE into bribery charge

A Madras High Court bench here today directed the CBI Superintendent of Police at Chennai to conduct a preliminary enquiry (PE) into the allegations of bribery against an income tax commissioner and a deputy commissioner.
Justice S Vimala, while disposing of a petition filed by a businessman, N Jegatheesan, directed the SP to consider the April 20, 2015 complaint of the petitioner and take action as per the law within four weeks.
The petitioner alleged that the IT commissioner had demanded Rs 20 lakh to settle income tax problems of his company, as well as personal assessment for the year 2012-13.

He claimed that since he had a clear account, he refused to accept the demand for illegal gratification.
Subsequently, a deputy commissioner, in scrutiny proceedings of both cases, asked him to pay over Rs 22 lakh and Rs 8.53 crore as additional tax, he said.
He said he gave a complaint to the CBI SP on the matter.

Jegatheesan submitted that even after the appellate authority quashed proceedings of the commissioner asking him to pay the additional tax, the SP had not taken any action.
The high court had earlier stated CBI was looking into Jegatheesan's complaint and had declined to entertain his July 15, 2015 petition.

The petitioner said so far no action had been taken and hence, he moved court.