FinMin overhauls intel mechanism to begin criminal prosecution

The Finance Ministry is bringing under one umbrella the intelligence and criminal investigation units of the Income Tax department to enhance prosecution powers to counter terror financing and check transactions that pose threat to national security.

The department will now train and designate its officials in the rank of Inspectors as 'Special Agents' and 'Agents' (Criminal Investigation) while the newly-created Directorate of Criminal Investigation will be headed by the Director-General of Intelligence (Income Tax).

The revamp is part of launching 'un-intrusive' investigations against "persons and transactions suspected to be involved in criminal activities having cross-border, inter-state or international ramifications, that pose a threat to national security and are punishable under the direct tax laws. (PTI)