SUKKUR, July 1: The Federal Investigation Agency has initiated a high-level inquiry into the embezzlement of Rs30 million by the Income Tax officials.

The amount was transferred to private accounts of Income Tax officials of the Sukkur zone with the connivance of some State Bank officials.

Income Tax Sukkur zone commissioner Shoukat Soomro said that the amount embezzled could be more than Rs30 million. He said that two income tax officials of Sibi were allegedly involved in embezzlement of Rs24 million through fake refund claims.

Mr Soomro said that an official of the Ghotki circle was also found involved in embezzlement of Rs6 million through fake refund vouchers. He said that three officials in questions were suspended and their cases had been handed over to the FIA. He said that the departmental inquiry was also under way.

Mr Soomro said that the record revealed that taxation officer, Sibi, Yasin Soomro and clerk Ellahi Bux Daudpoto were involved in embezzlement of Rs24 million. He said that taxation officer Ghotki Farooq Qureshi was also found involved in the embezzlement of Rs6 million. He said that three officials were suspended and cases had been handed over to the FIA.