Unveiling Financial Integrity: The Investigative Odyssey of IRS Officer Dhruva Singh
- Bhakti Kothari
- Published on 17 Feb 2024, 4:08 pm IST
- 4 minutes read
Highlights
- 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
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.Related Stories
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.
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