Some of them are already behind bars under the ongoing government drive against corruption.

"We are at the final stage of filing cases against 15 to 16 people who dodged income tax as found in our investigation," NBR Chairman Badiur Rahman said yesterday.

Talking to reporters after the first meeting between the NBR and the National Taskforce on Serious Crime and Corruption, he said, the cases to be filed under the income tax ordinance will have no legal flaws.

Earlier on May 23, the NBR filed a case against BNP leader Ali Asgar Lobi for evading Tk 4.25 crore tax in the current fiscal year.

Replying to a question, the NBR chairman said, "Just wait and see what happens with the case against Lobi. And you can then get an idea about our work before filing such cases."

At yesterday's meeting, the taskforce members and NBR officials exchanged views on how the taskforce can gear up the drive against corruption with the help of the NBR.

The meeting also discussed loopholes of tax-related laws and provisions to have clear ideas about taxation system.

The NBR chairman said, "This is the first meeting between the NBR and the taskforce, and we are sharing our ideas so that the government's anti-corruption drive is strengthened further."

Asked if the NBR has any plan to file cases against chiefs of the two major political parties --Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina -- on tax dodging allegations, he said NBR is doing nothing so far in this regard.

Replying to another question, the NBR chairman said, "This is not true that we are working only following the taskforce recommendations. NBR is also working on its own."

He also said the NBR has no intention to frequently ask people about their income tax. If anyone is found to file flawed tax return, it has the right to sue him or her.

The NBR is also against searching everyone's bank accounts. As per law, only suspicious accounts are being looked into, he added.