Hyderabad: Senior Income Tax Official Jeevan Lal Lavidiya Arrested in ₹70 Lakh Bribery Case

In a major countrywide crackdown, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested Jeevan Lal Lavidiya, the Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions) in Hyderabad, along with four others in connection with a bribery scandal involving ₹70 lakh.

Lavidiya, a 2004-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, is also known to be the son of former Wyra BRS MLA Ramulu Naik. At the time of arrest, he was holding additional responsibilities for two appeals units in the Income Tax Department.

Bribe Network and Key Accusations

According to CBI officials, Jeevan Lal was allegedly operating a widespread bribery network, using a group of intermediaries to solicit illegal payments in exchange for favorable outcomes in pending tax appeal cases.

The investigation has led to the arrest of Viral Mehta, Deputy General Manager (Taxation) at real estate giant Shapoorji Pallonji Group, and M Sajida Majhar Hussain Shah, both residents of Chembur, Mumbai. Their alleged involvement points to a broader network linking corporate entities and government officials.

Multi-City Raids and Seizures

As part of the operation, simultaneous searches were conducted at 18 locations across Mumbai, Hyderabad, Khammam, Visakhapatnam, and New Delhi. During these raids, officials recovered:

• ₹69 lakh in cash (in addition to the ₹70 lakh bribe amount)
• Incriminating documents
• Electronic devices and digital evidence

The CBI stated that the operation is ongoing and more arrests are expected, with 15 individuals named in the FIR and searches still underway as of Saturday evening.

Role of Middlemen and Facilitators

Two more individuals arrested were Sairam Palisetty of Srikakulam and Natta Veera Naga Sri Ram Gopal of Visakhapatnam. Both are accused of acting as key facilitators, arranging meetings between bribe-givers and Jeevan Lal, and playing a central role in the illegal dealings.

Court Proceedings

• The two accused from Mumbai were presented before the Special CBI Court in Mumbai.
• The other three individuals, arrested from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, were brought before local courts for further legal proceedings.

CBI’s Stand

CBI officials described the entire bribery operation as “systematic and well-orchestrated,” indicating the possibility of deeper corruption within the tax system. The agency has reiterated its commitment to pursuing all individuals involved and uprooting corruption in public service.

The investigation continues to unfold, potentially leading to more revelations in the days ahead.