ISLAMABAD: Ansar Majeed, an Inland Revenue Audit officer (BS-16), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Islamabad, has been dismissed for corruption.
The competent authority of FBR dismissed the officer under Rule 4(1)(b)(iv) of the Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules 1973 after completing inquiry against the accused. As per details, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Ansar Majeed on charges of ‘Inefficiency, Misconduct, Corruption and Negligence of duty’ under Government Servants (E&D) Rules 1973 on 04.12.2013.
The main allegations against the accused were that while posted at the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, IR, Islamabad he allegedly received illegal gratification amounting to Rs2,000,000 from Syed Haider Asad, Prop. M/s Horizon Business Network, Islamabad, while processing a case of Sales Tax fraud against him. He has also been alleged to have compromised the interests of the revenue by delaying processing of cases of other computer businesses involved in Sales Tax fraud.
Later the accused and Syed Haider Asad fell apart as he was unable to extend the promised relief therefore the later filed a complaint against the accused along with recorded telephonic conversations with him.
Abdul Rasheed, Commissioner Inland Revenue, LTU Islamabad was appointed as an inquiry officer who furnished his report on 02.12.2014 whereby all charges were established. The Chief Management being the Authorised officer in the case issued show-cause notice to the accused on 18.12.2014. The accused objected to the nomination of Authorised officer vide letter dated 23.12.2014 on grounds that he had served under the incumbent Chief Management while posted at I&I, Islamabad and the matter inquired upon also cropped up during his posting at I&I-IR, Islamabad.
The authorised officer furnished his findings whereby all charges were proved and major penalty of dismissal from service was recommended. Member (Administration), the competent authority in the case, after examining the record observed that the accused colluded with the tax fraudster with malafide intention. The accused also attempted to facilitate other computer business concerns namely M/s Advance Business System and JN Technologies, Islamabad involved in the chain of Sales Tax fraud.
During the course of proceedings before the inquiry officer as well as the authorised officer, the accused did not deny the recorded conversation or intimated interaction with the complainant. He has been insisting on the interpretation of the specific words used during the conversation. The conversation between the accused and the complainant reflects a degree of frankness which is beyond the appropriate limits for a civil servant. The interaction between the officer and tax payer has to be minimum. Such intimate interaction with a taxpayer who is being investigated for tax fraud reflects malafide intention. He has also not been able to explain under whose authority he was having liaison with Syed Haider Asad while he was in jail.
The record also shows that the accused has been instrumental in filing Wakaltnama against the complainant before the Special Judge for cancellation of the bail of the complainant without any permission or authorisation. When confronted, he argued that he was pursuing the case in public interest. His contention is devoid of merits as he was not authorised by the department. Fact of the matter is that the accused was facilitating the tax fraudster/complainant against the interests of the department and the revenue which is a conduct unbecoming of a government officer.
In view of above facts, the competent authority imposed major penalty of “Dismissal from service” against the accused Ansar Majeed under Rule 4(1)(b)(iv) of the Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules 19730.
However, .the officer has a right to appeal to the Appellate Authority under the Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules 1973 within a period of 15 days.
