The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested a CGST superintendent and a consultant for accepting a twenty lakh rupee bribe.
RAJKOT
The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a Central GST (CGST) superintendent and a tax consultant after catching them red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹20 lakh. The operation, conducted at the Creative Complex near Rajkot’s ST bus station, is the latest in a string of high-profile corruption crackdowns within the tax department.
The accused, identified as 43-year-old Superintendent Mukesh Kumar and 33-year-old consultant Akash Kaloliya, allegedly targeted a local citizen who was facing proceedings for non-payment of GST and the issuance of false invoices. According to investigators, Kumar initially demanded ₹25 lakh to “settle” the matter and prevent a major legal case. After negotiations, the sum was lowered to ₹20 lakh, with Kaloliya acting as the middleman.
Key Details of the ACB Trap:
- The Demand: ₹25 lakh (negotiated down to ₹20 lakh).
- The Location: Creative Complex, Rajkot.
- The Outcome: Both suspects were caught during the cash exchange, the full ₹20 lakh was recovered on the spot.
The ACB noted that this arrest follows several similar incidents earlier this year. In February, another Rajkot CGST officer was caught taking a ₹5,000 bribe, and earlier this month, two officials in Nadiad were arrested in a massive ₹55 lakh bribery case involving seized transport vehicles.
Following the arrests, the ACB urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any demands for illegal gratification. Officials emphasized that all complaints are handled with strict confidentiality as they continue to investigate whether these individuals are part of a wider network of corruption within the regional tax administration.