The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Anil Kumar Singal, a 2017-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, from his residence in Delhi on the complaint filed by the Sanam Kapoor, owner of La Pino’z Pizza.
Signal has been accused of demanding a bribe of Rs. 45 lakh through an intermediary to resolve an Income Tax notice allegedly issued to a food franchise businessman.
The complaint, filed by Sanam Kapoor, owner of the popular food chain La Pino’z Pizza, triggered the CBI action. Kapoor alleged that he was being harassed with a series of official notices after a business dispute with Mumbai-based entrepreneur Harsh Kotak, who is reported to be a close associate of Singal and had business ties with the IRS officer’s mother.
According to Kapoor’s legal counsel, Advocate Gagandeep Singh Jammu, the trouble began when Kapoor found that Kotak, in breach of their 2017 franchise agreement, was sourcing raw materials independently at lower costs. Though Kapoor had grounds to terminate the agreement, he was allegedly pressured into buying back the franchise for a steep ₹1.6 crore—more than six times the original price of ₹25 lakh.
Shortly thereafter, Kapoor began receiving notices from both the Income Tax Department and food safety authorities. Jammu claimed that Singal had demanded ₹45 lakh to quash the I-T notice. This prompted Kapoor to approach the CBI.
Following a detailed investigation, the agency laid a trap. On May 30, Kotak allegedly met Kapoor in Chandigarh and asked him to visit Singal’s residence in Mohali the next day. The CBI arrested Kotak on May 31 while he was accepting ₹25 lakh in cash from Kapoor. Later that evening, the CBI apprehended Singal from his Delhi home. A subsequent search led to the recovery of ₹30 lakh in cash and approximately 2.5 kilograms of gold jewellery.
A case has been registered against both Singal and Kotak in Chandigarh under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Singal is scheduled to be produced before the duty magistrate in Chandigarh on Sunday.
The CBI’s swift action in the case is being viewed as part of a broader crackdown on corruption within the bureaucracy.
Read More: No Service Tax Payable On Artwork Charges: CESTAT
