Senior IRS officer sacked for corruption

A senior Indian Revenue Service officer has been dismissed from service after his plea against his conviction for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income was rejected by the Supreme Court.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had registered a case under different sections of IPC against Anup Ranjan Rai, a 1986 batch IRS officer, for possession of disproportionate assets in his name as well as that of his family members.

"The CBI conducted a thorough and in-depth investigation in the matter which amply proved the allegations against Rai and the role of the persons who aided and abetted him in the crime -- Lalit Chatnani, a chartered accountant, his wife Neha Chatnani and Prakash Kothari, jeweller," a CBI statement said.

Following the registration of case, a chargesheet was filed against Rai and his accomplices in the court of Special Judge, Greater Mumbai on September 17, 2007.

Rai was sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 was imposed on him. Both Chatnani and his wife Neha were given two years RI and fined Rs 2,000 each by the court on May 14 last year.

Another accused, Kothari was given six months RI and fined Rs 500 for his involvement in the case.

Following the court's order, Rai had moved the Bombay high court and the Supreme Court which rejected his pleas.

"The Supreme Court on August 8, 2011, dismissed the Special Leave Petition. Consequent to this, the ministry of finance, Government of India, has vide order dated September 22, 2011 dismissed Anup Ranjan Rai from service," the statement added.