CBI court sentences two Income Tax officials to four years’ imprisonment in 2015 bribery case

In Jodhpur, a CBI court has handed down a big win against corruption, sentencing two former Income Tax officials to four years in prison each for taking bribes. Pawan Kumar Sharma, who was the Income Tax Commissioner at the time, and Shailendra Bhandari, a former Income Tax Officer, must serve simple imprisonment for their roles in the scandal that rocked the Income Tax Department back in 2015.

The drama unfolded during a CBI sting operation at a jewelry showroom near Sojati Gate in Jodhpur. Officials acted on a tip and caught Sharma and Bhandari right in the act, accepting a whopping ₹15 lakh bribe. They arrested the pair on the spot and kicked off a full investigation into how these officers abused their power to demand money from local jewelers.

The CBI’s probe uncovered clear evidence of corruption, leading to charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act. After years of court battles—nearly a decade in total—the judge found both men guilty. In a strong ruling, the magistrate slammed their “heinous acts of corruption,” saying senior officials sworn to uphold integrity had instead betrayed public trust and damaged the reputation of institutions that enforce financial rules.

The court made it clear: corruption won’t fly, no matter your position. It stressed the need for tough action to send a message that the law catches up with bribe-takers, restoring faith in public service accountability.

One twist: The court let off jeweler Chandraprakash Katta, ruling there wasn’t enough proof tying him to the bribery deal. This conviction closes a long chapter on the 2015 Income Tax Department scandal, showing that justice can prevail even after years of delay.


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