CBDT rejigs board amid secrecy breach suspicion

Speculations rife that liquor baron Ponty Chadha was tipped off about searches by I-T department

Amid speculations that liquor baron Ponty Chadha was tipped off about the searches by the income tax department,the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) today reshuffled the members in the board and gave the charge of investigation to K Madhvan Nair,who was till now holding the charge of legislation and computerisation (L&C).

The CBDT shifted SS Rana,who led the searches on Chadha in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi,as member income tax in place of investigation while the charge of L&C was given to Poonam Kishore Saxena,who so far held the charge of audit and judicial.

The reshuffle comes amid speculations and its subsequent denial by CBDT that Chadha,who has business interests in real estate and liquor in Uttar Pradesh,Delhi and Punjab,was alerted about the searches.

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It has been reported in some sections of the media that there has been a leak in a search case conducted recently by the income tax department on a liquor baron. It is also being reported in the media that CBDT has instituted an inquiry into the matter. As the matter is still under investigation,these media reports are without any factual basis and speculative, the statement had said.

The department spokesperson could not be contacted on the issue even after repetitive attempts.

Chairman Laxman Das will continue to hold charge of the Mumbai region,a responsibility that has traditionally been with the head of the CBDT,while there is no change in the charge of Manjari Kacker who will retain Personnel and Vigilance. Two new members Sudha Sharma and SC Jaini have been given the charge of audit,judicial and revenue respectively.