IT department begins probe in promotion scam

Vikas Rasal could be the tip of an iceberg and small victim in a big illegal syndicate working between the states and the Centre to promote a non-revenue cadre officer to an IAS officer. The Income Tax (I-T) department has begun an investigation to get into the roots of this scam and expose it completely.

In July, the air intelligence unit (AIU) of Customs Department and I-T officials apprehended Rasal, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Iron and Steel Market Committee, at the airport. He was intercepted with nearly Rs 50-65 lakh undisclosed cash in his backpack while arriving from Delhi to Mumbai.

The investigation has revealed that Rasal possess disproportionate assets (DA) in crores, including few benami investments. Of late, the Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a DA case against Rasal for allegedly amassing Rs 15 crore - 208 per cent more than his known sources of income.

Top income tax official told , "Soon chargesheet is likely to be filed against Rasal and action would be taken under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016. It would be the first such action against a serving government official under the Act. The action includes, confiscation of all his properties."

But that's' not all. A parallel probe has begun by the I-T department in coordination with all central agencies, both in Maharashtra and Delhi, to trace the roots of this case.

"It is too early to talk about or share details on this case, as enquiry is still going on. But the department suspect a promotion or empanelment scam is quite active between states and Delhi," the official said.

The preliminary investigation report has been shared with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Finance Ministry, Ministry of Personnel and few



agencies. "Probe is on from all angles. In fact, some agents and officials are under the scanner," the official said.

Why Rasal visited Delhi?

Vikas Rasal, a state civil officer was returning from Delhi with "undisclosed cash" in his baggage. I-T sources said he was among ten shortlisted candidates from various states for an interview session in Delhi to become an IAS officer. Out of these candidates, two got selected but Rasal was not one of them.

Investigative agencies at both central and states are working discreetly, to draw a line between many dots.

The questions are:

On what basis, Rasal was selected at state level?

Did money change hands in state to shortlist Rasal?

Did Rasal and all ten candidates used the same route?

Who were the officials at state and central level coordinating these IAS interviews?

Did Rasal pay money to agents in Delhi to block his seat?

What was the price to block one IAS seat?

Did other candidates (shortlisted and selected) too paid money to agents?

What quantum of money Rasal took from Mumbai and how much he paid to agents, if any?

Were these agents connected to government officials in UPSC or any other departments/ministry to run this syndicate?

These are some explosive questions on which the I-T department is currently, working on. "It have many layers and few sensitive positions too, on radar," the official indicated without divulging any specific details to IndiaToday.in.

As per the rules, state civil servants is required to clear a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) written examination and interview to earn a promotion. Later they could become an IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service officer. Rasal had opted for IAS.