PIL Challenging Appointment of Indirect Taxes Ombudsman - Delhi HC issues Notice
DELHI High Court yesterday issued notice to Union of India, on a PIL challenging the appointment of Indirect Tax Ombudsman, Mumbai.
The PIL has been filed by R.K. Jain Whistle blower and Editor of Excise Law Times claiming that since Ombudsman has to hear taxpayers complaints against Revenue officials, he should be a person of eminence, impeccable integrity and upright behaviour but there had been number of vigilance inquiry against the officer, including for wrongly allowing withdrawal of Rs. 56.44 Crores for Escrow A/c and the Selection Committee and the Appointment Committee has ignored these relevant materials inspite of his complaints.
The PIL alleges that he was appointed in spite of Adverse Vigilance Report about his fraudulently obtaining the LL.B. degree from Calcutta University while serving at Delhi whereas in the appointment file a false note has been recorded that allegation of fraudulently obtaining LL.B. degree was found to be incorrect and baseless.
PIL also alleges that Government mala fidely fixed 29-6-2011 as cut-off date for treating applicants as ‘serving officers' so as to manipulate his appointment who retired on the next day i.e, 30-6-2011.