NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made significant arrests in a bribery case involving Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemption), Jeevan Lal Lavidiya, and an executive from the Shapoorji Pallonji Group. Lavidiya, a high-ranking Indian Revenue Service officer, is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs 70 lakh to settle an appeal in favor of the group.
In addition to Lavidiya, Viral Kantilal Mehta, Deputy General Manager (Taxation) of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, along with Sairam Palisetty, Natta Veera Naga Sri Ram Gopal, and Sajida Majhar Hussain Shah were also arrested in connection with the case.
The CBI alleges that Shah was responsible for delivering the bribe to Lavidiya, who held additional responsibilities as Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals Unit-8 and Unit-7) under the Office of the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in Hyderabad.
The CBI initiated an investigation after receiving information that Lavidiya, in collusion with middlemen, was engaging in corrupt activities to obtain illegal gratification for favorable decisions on appeals. A trap was set, resulting in the arrest of one of the accused in Mumbai while accepting the bribe. Subsequently, Lavidiya and his associates were apprehended in Hyderabad.
CBI arrests five accused including a Commissioner of Income Tax, Hyderabad, and four others immediately after handing over bribe of Rs. 70 Lakh meant for said Commissioner pic.twitter.com/B296QJ8sCq
— Central Bureau of Investigation (India) (@CBIHeadquarters) May 10, 2025
Searches were conducted at multiple locations, leading to the recovery of approximately Rs 69 lakh in cash, in addition to the bribe amount. The accused were presented before special CBI courts in Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
The Shapoorji Pallonji Group has not yet responded to the arrests. The CBI’s actions demonstrate its commitment to combating corruption and upholding the rule of law.
