CBDT initiates probe into Cafe Coffee Day founder V G Siddhartha's death

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has initiated an inquiry into alleged harassment by a senior income-tax (I-T) official in the Café Coffee Day (CCD) case.

CCD founder V G Siddhartha had, in his purported suicide note, alleged harassment by tax officials. He went missing on July 29, and his body was found two days later.

Sources said the CBDT has sought explanation from B R Balakrishnan, former director-general of I-T (investigation wing) and former principal chief commissioner of I-T for Karnataka and Goa, who had ordered attachment of CDEL holding company Coffee Day Enterprises ( CDEL) shares when