Chartered Accountant (CA) Ashwani Gupta, who was arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a bribery case in April, was given a lavish welcome on his return to the city after getting bail, on Tuesday.
His CA colleagues, clients, including industrialists and doctors, apart from his family members, queued up outside a posh city hotel with garlands to make him feel welcome.
When queried on the need for the elaborate programme, Jalandhar Chartered Accountants Association president Ashwani Jindal said: "Gupta is an icon of the CA fraternity and will be acquitted in the case registered against him.”
Industrialist Sharad Aggarwal, a part of the welcoming party, said: "I am sure that Gupta will be honourably discharged.”
Meanwhile, Gupta said: “The support that has been extended to me by eminent personalities is overwhelming and has boosted my morale. I will not say anything on the case, as the matter is sub-judice.”
Gupta was arrested by CBI on April 3 for allegedly acting as the conduit in a Rs 6 lakh bribery deal for senior income tax official TK Bhattarcharya. He was also in news for receiving VIP treatment in Patiala jail, where he remained in judicial custody.
Gupta has served on the board of the State Bank of Patiala, where he led the audit committee. He is also a member of the steel consumers' council of the union government and is a special invitee to the direct taxes committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
{{/usCountry}}Gupta has served on the board of the State Bank of Patiala, where he led the audit committee. He is also a member of the steel consumers' council of the union government and is a special invitee to the direct taxes committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
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