I-T officer held for helping TV channel evade tax

The CBI on Tuesday arrested a deputy Income Tax Commissioner for allegedly misusing his official position to help a private television channel evade Rs 1.57 crore tax, officials said.

The CBI on Tuesday arrested a deputy Income Tax Commissioner for allegedly misusing his official position to help a private television channel evade Rs 1.57 crore tax, officials said.

DITC P K Das in 2007 had issued a notice to Taj Television (owner of TEN sports channel) saying there is a tax due of Rs 1.57 crore against them. He, however, had reversed the order immediately, they said.

"By procedure, to reverse the order, the DITC has to take permission of Income Tax commissioner or Additional Commissioner," a CBI official said.

Special public prosecutor Azhar Ali Ansari argued it was done in connivance with Taj Television.

CBI has filed a charge sheet against Das for cheating, conspiracy, forgery, criminal misconduct and misuse of official position.

Das, who was produced in the special CBI court, was remanded in judicial custody and his bail plea is likely to be heard tomorrow.