Archive · 30 Nov 2025
Corruption Scandal Hits ITAT, Revives Faceless System Demand
Some important people in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in Jaipur were arrested for taking bribes to give favorable decisions.
This is not the first time this has happened, as similar incidents occurred in 2008 and 2012.
People are worried about the fairness of the ITAT and want the government to make changes to prevent corruption.
One suggested change is to make the ITAT 'faceless,' meaning decisions would be made without direct human interaction, similar to other successful systems.
However, this idea has been delayed, and experts are questioning why it hasn't been implemented.
Judicial and accountant members of the ITAT's Jaipur Bench were arrested for taking bribes in exchange for favorable decisions.
This scandal is part of a pattern of corruption within the ITAT, with similar incidents occurring in 2008 and 2012.
The lack of oversight and entrenched networks within the ITAT have raised concerns about the integrity of tax adjudication.
The Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, has further reduced oversight of the ITAT.
Proposed reforms, such as a 'faceless' system for the ITAT, have been delayed despite their success in other areas.
- Who
- Judicial and accountant members of the ITAT, Jaipur Bench, along with two others
- What
- Arrested in a cash-for-orders case, exposing a criminal network within the ITAT
- When
- November 30, 2025
- Where
- Jaipur, India
- Why
- Allegations of corruption and bench-fixing, reviving demands for a faceless system in the ITAT
- Organization
- Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)
- Location
- Jaipur Bench
- Arrested Members
- Judicial and accountant members
- Allegations
- Cash-for-orders, bench-fixing
- Previous Incidents
- 2008 (Kolkata), 2012 (nationwide)
- Current Issue
- Lack of oversight, entrenched networks
- Proposed Reform
- Faceless system for ITAT
- Administrative Control
- Ministry of Law & Justice