Hyderabad: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against five Income Tax department officials in Hyderabad and a chartered accountant for allegedly cheating taxpayers, according to a New India Express report.

The accused include I-T inspectors Gulnaz Rawoof and Kuthadi Srinivas, senior tax assistants Quamar Aulam, Manish Sikrawal, and Mohammad Javeed, along with CA Pulimamidi Bhagath.

According to the CBI, the accused misused confidential data on taxpayers who had claimed high tax refunds.

Instead of following standard procedures, they allegedly contacted taxpayers directly, intimidating them with heavy penalties to extract money.

The illicit funds were reportedly first deposited into the chartered accountant’s account before being transferred to the officials involved.

The agency conducted searches at six locations in Hyderabad, including the residences and offices of the accused. Several incriminating documents were recovered during the raids.