A CBI Court , Vishkhapatnam has awarded 2 years Rigourous Imrisonment (RI) with a fine of Rs 20,000/-to a retired IRS officer. According to information CBI had registered a case against Surender Pal Singh  a 1973 batch IRS(C&CE) officer and former Commissioner, Central Excise, Port Area Vishakhapatnam and 2 private persons and unkown others on March 9, 2001 under 120-B of IPC and Sec.8, 10 & 13(2). It was alleged that Singh entered into a criminal conspiracy with three private persons including businessman and abused his official position in the matter of adjudication of the evasion of Excise Duty to the tune of Rs.4.88 crore(approx) by Andhra Pradesh based private companies. After thorough investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet on July 29, 2007. The Trial Court found the then Commissioner of Central Excise guilty and convicted him. The other three persons were acquitted.