IAS couple: I-T wing to initiate attachment proceedings soon

Action against the suspended officer couple would be taken by the assessing wing, they said, adding that the department wants the properties of Joshis to be attached to protect the interest of recovery.

The sources said the investigation wing of the department has already asked the assessment wing to initiate attachment proceedings under Section 281-B of the Income Tax Act 1961.

They said the assessment wing would soon initiate attachment proceedings under this section which was brought into force almost 35 years ago.

The Enforcement Directorate had served notices to the couple yesterday for alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) following the the submission of a 7,000-page appraisal report by the I-T department to Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Avni Vaish and Lokayukta P V Naolekar, giving details of their unaccounted investments.

The couple was suspended after I-T sleuths recovered Rs three crore in cash from their residence during a raid in February last year.

Both Arvind and Tinu, who are 1979-batch IAS Officers of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, have held important positions at the Centre since the late 80s.

Tinu served as Deputy Secretary in the PMO from July 1, 1988 to January 1, 1990 while Arvind was Joint Secretary in the Defence Ministry during the 1999 Kargil hostilities.