https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Unveiling Financial Integrity: The Investigative Odyssey of IRS Officer Dhruva Singh

IRS officer Dhruva Singh is one of the finest investigators globally, with a remarkable track record spanning 15 years and six states. He is renowned for his role in uncovering the Unearthing Scam that exposed tax evasion of around 40,000 crores, the largest in Income Tax history. His investigations contributed significantly to the success of the Income Disclosure Scheme of 2016
Indian Masterminds Stories

Meet Dhruva Singh, an exceptional IRS officer renowned for his investigative prowess. With a remarkable track record, Mr. Singh has earned a reputation of being one of the finest investigators globally. In his 15 years of career, the officer has served in six different states of the country, demonstrating his versatility and effectiveness in tackling diverse challenges.

His commitment to upholding the law and his remarkable achievements have earned him widespread admiration and respect within the department and beyond. 

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the officer shared his journey till now as an Indian Revenue Service officer.

BACKGROUND

A 2009 batch IRS officer, Mr. Singh secured AIR-106 in UPSC CSE. However, due to some medical issues with his eye, he was not able to get Indian Police Service and opted for IRS instead. Hailing from Azamgarh, UP, he completed his graduation from Allahabad University.

Today, the officer is posted as Additional Commissioner of Income-Tax (OSD) in Kochi, Kerala, which is the sixth state that he is serving in 15 years. He has previously served in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar and Haryana. 

INVESTIGATION EXPERT

The core area of Indian Revenue Service is investigation and Mr. Singh chose to be a master of exactly that. Known as one of the best investigators of the country among his peers, the officer has investigated and solved over 18 big cases across the country.

“My work gives me immense self-satisfaction along with recognition. I believe, as an IRS officer, I am able to do my entire work by my own without requiring any other department’s help, which is not the case in other services. I specialise in financial investigations and look after everything from banks, share markets, money flow, and transfer,” he said. 

FIRST POSTING

Mr. Singh is known for his pivotal role in uncovering the Unearthing Scam, one of the most significant instances of tax evasion in India’s history. As Deputy Director of Income Tax Investigation in Kolkata, he led a rigorous investigation into the manipulation of long-term capital gains on penny stocks. This operation marked a milestone in income tax enforcement, revealing the largest quantum of tax evasion ever recorded.

“Kolkata has always had that infrastructure where CAs establish these shell companies and enable money layering by opening numerous accounts in banks. These frauds are very hard to catch and I immediately started working on breaking this tradition,” stated the officer.

Under his direction, the investigation identified a staggering 68 thousand beneficiaries of the scam across the country. These individuals were found to have engaged in fraudulent activities aimed at evading taxes. Through meticulous scrutiny and relentless pursuit of justice, Mr. Singh and his team ensured that these beneficiaries were brought to account for their actions.

The impact of his investigation extended beyond mere identification, as many cases resulting from the operation found their way to High Courts. These legal proceedings underscored the seriousness of the offences uncovered by his team and affirmed the necessity of upholding tax laws to maintain financial integrity.

“We identified around 80 shell companies and exposed tax evasion of around 40,000 crores, making it the biggest investigation in the history of Income Tax,” he told Indian Masterminds.

INCOME DISCLOSURE SCHEME, 2016

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India initiated a bold Income Disclosure Scheme on June 1, 2016, as part of its commitment to combat black money within the country. This scheme, which ran until September 30, provided an avenue for individuals to declare undisclosed income invested in any asset, subject to a tax rate of 45% on the declared amount. The launch of this scheme represented an unprecedented effort and marked a significant stride in the fight against black money.

The meticulous execution of this investigation by Mr. Singh instilled a sense of gravity among the populace. His dedication to the task created an environment where individuals realized the consequences of failing to disclose their unreported income. His efforts were instrumental in driving home the message that stringent repercussions awaited those who attempted to evade taxes.

In his pursuit of making India a more tax-compliant nation and dismantling the intricate web of tax evasion, Mr. Singh undertook a project-based investigation. This involved compiling a comprehensive database of money launderers, identifying fraudulent companies, and conducting nationwide searches

Through these efforts, the officer played a pivotal role in transforming the Income Disclosure Scheme of 2016 into a resounding success, bringing the country closer to its goal of financial transparency and accountability.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SAIL resized
SAIL Bags 'Star Performer' Award from EEPC for Export Excellence During Pandemic Years - Check Here To Know More
NFL _ National Fertilizers Limited
National Fertilizers Ltd Faces Rs. 94.84 Crore Tax Demand Over GST Refunds
Screenshot 2025-05-31 204103
PM Modi Launches Major Thermal Power Projects in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh - Check All Details
IRCON
IRCON Bags Rs. 1,068 Crore Contract for Ganga Rail Bridge in Bihar - All Details Inside
retirement
3 Senior Executives to Retire from Key PSUs in India, P V Ravitej Concludes 38-year Long Journey With BPCL - All Details Inside
Rajiv Krishna IPS
Breaking: IPS Rajeev Krishna Appointed as Acting DGP of Uttar Pradesh, Becomes 5th Consecutive Officer in Acting Role - Know More About Him
Bihar Government-resized-IM
47 IAS Officers Reshuffled in Bihar Ahead of Polls, 17 Districts Get New DMs, 5 New Commissioners - Check Circular Here
PSUs
PSUs: IRS Anurag Prasad Repatriated Early for Promotion; IAS M Muthukumar Appointed Director (Finance) at BHAVINI
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
From Gwalior to the Top 20: What Drove Finance Pro Madhav Agarwal to Crack UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR 16? | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
Anupam Sharma IFS
#BoycottTurkey: IFS Officer Anupam Sharma Sparks Nationalist Call to Action
IFS Sharma urged citizens to avoid Turkish agricultural imports
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SAIL resized
SAIL Bags 'Star Performer' Award from EEPC for Export Excellence During Pandemic Years - Check Here To Know More
NFL _ National Fertilizers Limited
National Fertilizers Ltd Faces Rs. 94.84 Crore Tax Demand Over GST Refunds
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT