IRS officer sent to judicial custody in Chandigarh; CBI seizes Rs 3.5 crore gold, Rs 1 crore cash from premises

As per the FIR registered on May 31 under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended 2018), the complaint was lodged by Kapoor, a restaurateur and owner of the La Pino’z Pizza franchise. The accused were produced before the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC) Ambika Sharma.

In its remand application, the CBI submitted that Dr. Singal acknowledged the ₹45 lakh bribe demand in a phone call with Kapoor and later accepted ₹25 lakh through Kotak. The agency said the bribe was sought in exchange for favourable treatment from the Income Tax Department after Kapoor allegedly received a retaliatory tax notice under Section 131(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act in February 2025.

The CBI further stated that digital forensic analysis of Kotak’s mobile devices revealed entries indicating the creation and possession of undisclosed foreign assets by Dr. Singal, allegedly managed by Kotak.

Follow-up searches at Singal’s properties in Delhi and Mohali led to the recovery of what the CBI described as massive undeclared assets. These included approximately 3.5 kilograms of gold worth ₹3.5 crore, 2 kilograms of silver, ₹1 crore in cash, documents related to several bank accounts and lockers, and records of immovable assets in Delhi, Mumbai, and various cities in Punjab including Ludhiana, Bathinda, Mohali, Zirakpur, and New Chandigarh. Digital devices and documents suggesting ownership of foreign assets were also seized.

“The investigation is at a nascent stage. Several key witnesses and documents are yet to be examined,” the CBI told the court, arguing that there was a strong likelihood of the accused influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence. The court accepted the submission and sent both accused to judicial custody.

According to Kapoor’s complaint, he had entered into a business agreement with Dr. Singal in 2019 through a company named Parker Impex, where Kotak and Singal’s mother were partners. The deal involved a master franchise arrangement in Mumbai. Kapoor terminated the arrangement in December 2024 after buying back three outlets, citing repeated violations and unprofessional conduct.

He alleged that after the business fallout, Dr. Singal misused his official position to issue a retaliatory income tax notice, which could have led to heavy penalties. When Kapoor reached out to Kotak for help, he was told to speak directly with Dr. Singal.

In a meeting in Delhi in April 2025, Dr. Singal allegedly demanded ₹45 lakh to “settle” the issue. The demand was reportedly reiterated later, with payment instructions passed through Kotak.

A CBI team led by Inspector Sonal Mishra laid a trap on May 31 in Mohali, where Kotak was caught red-handed accepting ₹25 lakh. The bribe money was later recovered from Singal’s Mohali residence. Kotak was arrested the same day, and Singal was taken into custody from his Delhi residence on June 1 after the CBI obtained necessary authorisation. His house was raided on Saturday evening.