ISLAMABAD, Jan 29: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) on Wednesday directed the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to check tampering of tax returns by officials.

The ombudsman, Justice Saleem Akhtar (retired), also issued orders to the CBR to institute an inquiry against tax officials found involved in the illegal practice.

The decision was taken at the complaint of Muamar Rana, a film artist, who alleged maladministration on the part of Regional Commissioner of Income Tax, Lahore Eastern Region, for arbitrarily setting apart his return under self-assessment scheme for total audit.

The FTO asked the commissioner to ensure completion of inquiry regarding the loss of original return within 90 days.

The commissioner should take action under relevant rules against all those found guilty of substituting the original return with another one, he added.