A female Income Tax official has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly accepting bribe of Rs 6 lakh for not scrutinising income tax returns of a private firm.

The CBI's anti-corruption bureau arrested M M Chouhan, Income Tax Officer M M Chouhan of Thane for demanding Rs 6 lakh from a complainant for avoiding scrutiny of income tax returns of the complainant's firm, CBI said in a statement here.

"In September, the accused had demanded Rs 2.50 lakh bribe from the complainant which she later increased to Rs 6 lakh. She (the accused) told the complainant if the bribe amount is not paid immediately, a survey will be conducted on his firm," the press statement said.

After the complainant approached CBI, a trap was laid and she was caught red handed accepting her first bribe of Rs 1.50 lakh. "The remaining Rs 4.50 lakh was to be paid by the complainant after a week," the statement said.

Searches were conducted at the office and residence of the accused during which incriminating documents pertaining to the case and others relating to investments made by the accused were seized.

Chouhan was produced before a special CBI court which remanded her to CBI custody till November 3.