THE CBI Monday questioned officers of the investigation wing of the Income-Tax department in Mumbai as part of its probe into a bribery racket that allegedly involves senior I-T officers in Mumbai and Chennai, middlemen and businessmen seeking income-tax relief.

The CBI has seized 4 kg gold and 130 kg silver in the form of jewellery from two chartered accountants arrested in the probe, which was allegedly meant to be given as gifts to various persons.

“Officers of the I-T’s investigation wing in Mumbai were questioned today, and the questioning is likely to continue on Tuesday. Scrutiny of seized evidence is in progress. Electronic evidence seized has been sent for forensic analysis,” said a CBI source.

The CBI had arrested four persons allegedly involved in the racket, identified as Salong Yaden, posted as Joint Commissioner I-T Range 6 in Chennai, chartered accountants Sanjay Bhandari and Shreyas Bhandari, and Hitesh Kawad, the MD of SPG & RG, a real estate firm in Chennai. They were remanded in judicial custody till January 23. Some other senior I-T officers in the two cities are under the scanner, sources said.

The CBI Monday searched the Mumbai residence of Devender Mehta, a chartered accountant and a close associate of Sanjay Bhandari, and allegedly seized Rs 55 lakh. Mehta has been summoned to Chennai for questioning. “We will also be seeking custody of Sanjay Bhandari,” said a source.(Indian Express)