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Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

New Delhi, Jul 9 (IANS): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested an income tax commissioner, his aide and a chartered accountant in Mumbai in a graft case, an official said Saturday.

"Income Tax Commissioner (Appeal) R.P. Meena and chartered accountant U.P. Pai were arrested Friday from Mumbai following a complaint," said the official.

A tax assessee filed the complaint against Meena with the CBI.

The complainant said that he was being harassed by the commissioner who was not clearing his file. He directed the complainant to pay him money through Pai. On failure to do so, Meena threatened to impose a heavy penalty on them.

"The complainant told us that the commissioner made it clear to him that the closure report would not be given till illegal gratification is paid," said the official.

Pai on behalf of Meena asked the complainant to give Rs.2.2 lakh as bribe Friday at a restaurant near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

"We laid a trap and arrested Pai," said the official.

During interrogation, Pai told the CBI that he took the bribe to pass it on to an aide of Meena. "We arrested the aide and then Meena from his residence," said the official. The CBI also conducted searches at the residences and offices of the accused men.