Special Judge for CBI cases, Visakhaptnam has convicted Sri Lakimsetty Pulla Rao, the then Income Tax Inspector, Ward-1, Tanuku, West Godavari District (Andhra Pradesh) in a Disproportionate Assets case and sentenced him to undergo three years Simple Imprisonment with fine of Rs.20,000/-. The Special Judge further ordered to confiscate the property of the accused to the extent of disproportionate assets which have already been attached by the court, to the State, after appeal time is over.
The brief allegation of the case is that the accused Sri L. Pulla Rao, the then Income Tax Officer, Ward-1, Tanuku, West Godavari District during the period from 01.01.1995 to 31.10.2002, was in possession of movable & immovable properties in his name and in the names of his family members which were disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of Rs.7,05,119/-.
The Trial Court found the accused persons guilty and convicted them.
Point to ponder!
It was only an inspector and hence no one came to his rescue. If joint cit or cit are raided crores of disproportionate assets could be found and seized. But then these higher ups have protective hands supporting them. No action and orders of courts in such cases. Someone should find out what has happened to cases where higher officers were caught in last 3 years.
The corruption in any department cannot happen in isolation and there will be a interlinked chain connecting from bottom to top, rather lower to upper levels. The court should take, suo motto, action to assess the property/ies of those in the loop which will help eradicate the malice from the root.