Corruption probe intensifies after pizza franchise business fallout.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials have booked a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and his wife for allegedly amassing assets worth Rs 4.57 crore beyond their legal earnings. This latest development follows a year-long investigation that originated from a bitter business dispute involving the popular food chain, La Pino’z Pizza.

Roots of the Conflict

Amit Kumar Singhal, a 2007-batch officer, and his wife Anupama Singla, a commissioner in the Income Tax department, are now under intense scrutiny. Investigators allege that Singhal used his official position to harass Sanam Kapoor, the promoter of La Pino’z Pizza, after their private business partnership soured. The dispute reportedly began when Singhal, through family-linked entities, entered a master franchise agreement that later collapsed, leading to allegations of coerced buybacks and retaliatory tax notices. Searches conducted at properties linked to the couple resulted in the recovery of approximately 3.5 kg of gold and Rs 1 crore in liquid cash. The agency claims the couple’s wealth grew by nearly 140 percent over their known income sources between 2018 and 2025. While Singhal is the primary accused, his wife faces charges for allegedly aiding the accumulation of these illicit funds.

The CBI has registered the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This follows a previous trap where an associate was caught accepting a Rs 25 lakh bribe on behalf of the officer to "settle" manufactured tax liabilities.