Complaints filed & punishment given, says institute chief.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
(ICAI) has said 4,445 complaints have been registered against CAs as on June 30 this year, and punishment has been awarded in 402 cases until March 2017. The CA regulator, however, said it was pushing for amendments to the norms to help expedite action against wrongdoers in the profession.
PM sought action
This development comes within a few weeks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi indicating stringent measures against those involved in money laundering — including through shell companies — following demonetisation, and asking the ICAI to hasten action against CAs “helping tax evaders.”
ICAI president Nilesh S. Vikamsey informed The Hindu that till March 2017, the ICAI had awarded punishment in 402 cases (under the old and new disciplinary mechanisms) to the erring members.
He said the action ranged from “[issuing] letter of caution to permanent removal from the ‘Register of Members’ with or without fine, depending upon the gravity of the charges established against the members.”
The ICAI is under the Corporate Affairs Ministry’s administrative control.
Addressing CAs on July 1, Mr. Modi had asked the ICAI to take action against those found advising their clients to hide the truth and emboldening tax evaders – before and, particularly after demonetisation.
