New Delhi: CBI questioned the Income Tax officials, whose names were allegedly found in a register recovered from the residence of Chennai-based Chartered Accountant A Krishnamurthy, believed to be the main accused in the "cash-for transfer" scam.

The CBI quizzed their role and "links" with the Chartered Accountant, who is alleged to have been "in the business of fixing appointments for Income Tax and Customs officials" for quite sometime, official sources said in New Delhi on May 30.

The sources said Krishnamurthy had also provided some more leads into the case and the agency could quiz some more finance ministry officials including those who had retired from the services.

The "cash-for-transfer" scam is believed to have been in operation for quite sometime now and thorough interrogations of senior finance ministry official should only lead to the exact ramifications of the case, the sources said.

CBI was also searching for bank lockers of Krishnamurthy, though he claimed he had none. His four bank accounts have already been frozen by the CBI.

The scam came to light on May 22 after the personal secretary of former Minister of State for Finance Gingee Ramachandran, R Perumalswamy was arrested for taking bribe of Rs four lakh from the residence of an IRS officer Anurag Vardhan, who has also been arrested by police.

The "chits" recovered from the residence of Perumalswamy with names of IRS officials and their choice postings were also being scrutinised. Some of these officials, whose chits were recovered, were also questioned by the CBI.

PTI