A special CBI court in Chennai has handed down a four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence to seven individuals, including a former senior tax assistant of the Income Tax Department, in connection with a tax refund fraud case. The convicted individuals were also fined a total of Rs 2.4 lakh. The case, investigated by the CBI, was initiated based on a complaint from the Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, regarding irregularities in income tax refunds generation.
The fraud, which occurred between June 4, 2015, and August 31, 2019, involved the accused using forged documents and fictitious identities to fraudulently generate income tax refunds. This fraudulent activity led to a wrongful loss of around Rs 2.38 crore to the Income Tax Department. Among those convicted are Babu Prasath Kumar, a former senior tax assistant, and six private individuals identified as B. Praveen Kumar, Trewellyn Marion Corneille, P. Stephen, A. Gopikrishna, Venkatesh, and C. Gunaseelan.
Investigations revealed that Babu Prasath Kumar played a pivotal role in orchestrating the fraud by misusing his position within the department. He was involved in processing fraudulent refund claims and ensuring their clearance within the system. The probe also found that the illegal earnings were channeled through various bank accounts belonging to his family members and associates to conceal the proceeds of the crime.
Following an extensive investigation, the CBI filed seven separate charge sheets against the accused on March 1, 2021. The trial, which involved a detailed examination of evidence and witness testimonies, culminated in the conviction of all seven individuals. The CBI emphasized its dedication to fighting corruption and financial crimes, underscoring the importance of holding accountable those engaged in defrauding public institutions.
