Bhopal: Following the raids on the home and establishments of Pradeep Saraiyya, retired engineer of an electricity distribution company, the I-T authorities are preparing to tighten the noose on officers investing their ill-gotten wealth in businesses. The Central Government, sources said, has instructed the I-T department to act against officers turning their black money into white by investing it in businesses. The department is collecting info on bureaucrats whose close relatives or family members are making huge investments in business ventures. Information is also being collected about officers whose sons or daughters are partners in businesses being run by others.
The sons of many officers have become big businessmen overnight, with the turnover of their companies running into crores of rupees. Close relatives of some officers are directors in various companies. The I-T is probing into the affairs of all of them. The I-T department is enquiring into anonymous and confidential reports against officers. The department suspects that they strike deals with businessmen during their in-service period itself. Due to fear of anti-graft agencies, they prefer to invest money they receive in the businesses of the bribe-givers.
Besides real estate, jewellery sector and industries are flush with funding by officers. The department is also receiving information about these officers and politicians through email, after it decided to solicit information regarding benami properties from the general public. The I-T returns of the relatives of suspect officers are being scrutinised. Kin of officers who had deposited huge amounts in banks after demonetisation are also under scrutiny. Sources said that once information received is verified, searches and surveys may follow.
