CBI Arrests CGST Superintendent, Sentences Five for Bribery
In recent developments, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made significant strides in combating corruption. A CGST Superintendent in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, was apprehended while accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000. Simultaneously, designated courts in Ahmedabad and Madurai have handed down stringent sentences, including three years of rigorous imprisonment, to five individuals involved in separate cases of corruption.
Designated Courts’ Verdicts in Ahmedabad and Madurai
The Designated Courts in Ahmedabad and Madurai have delivered verdicts in two distinct cases, underscoring the judiciary’s resolve to root out corruption. In Ahmedabad, Shri Mahesh Kantilal Sompura, a former Income Tax Officer, and Shri Mukesh Ramniklal Raval, a former Inspector of Income Tax, were sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment. Their crime involved demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 each for settling Income Tax Returns favorably for a complainant during the assessment year 2009-10. The illegal gratification demanded amounted to Rs. 1,75,000 initially. However, a subsequent negotiation led to the final bribe amount of Rs. 50,000. The accused were caught red-handed during the exchange, leading to their arrest and subsequent conviction by the Trial Court.
Similarly, in Madurai, three private individuals were sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment for fraudulent practices related to availing a bank loan. The case revolved around the misuse of the Swarna Jayanti Shahar Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) scheme to secure a loan from the Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), Meenakshi College Branch, Madurai, between 2009 and 2012. The accused defaulted on loan repayment, causing a loss of approximately Rs. 29.98 lakh to the bank. The Chief Judicial Magistrate convicted and sentenced the accused, Sh. S.P.K. Selvam, Sh. C. Jagdeeswaran, and Smt. K. Sathiya, imposing fines of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 10,000, and Rs. 10,000, respectively.
CBI’s Swift Action Against CGST Superintendent
Meanwhile, the CBI’s swift action led to the arrest of a Superintendent from the Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST) Division in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. The accused had demanded a bribe of Rs. 15,000 from a complainant for activating a suspended GSTIN belonging to the firm of the complainant’s wife. Subsequently, the bribe amount was negotiated down to Rs. 10,000. The CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while accepting the bribe, demonstrating its commitment to combating corruption at all levels of governance.
Ongoing Investigations
As investigations continue into these cases, the CBI remains vigilant in its pursuit of justice. Searches conducted at the premises of the accused in Rudrapur and Ambala have yielded crucial evidence, including documents and incriminating materials. The agency is determined to unravel the full extent of corruption and ensure that the perpetrators face the consequences of their actions.
In conclusion, the recent arrests and court verdicts highlight the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary in upholding the rule of law and combating corruption. These developments send a clear message that corrupt practices will not be tolerated, and those found guilty will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
RELTED CBI PRESS RELEASES DATED 27-02-2024 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
A. DESIGNATED COURTS AT AHMEDABAD AND MADURAI SENTENCE FIVE ACCUSED INCLUDING THEN INCOME TAX OFFICER TO THREE YEARS RIGOROUS IMPRISONMENT WITH FINE
The Designated Courts at Ahmedabad and Madurai have today sentenced five accused including then Income Tax Officer (ITO), then Inspector of Income Tax and three private persons to three years’ Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) and combined fine of Rs. 1.70 lakh, in two separate CBI cases.
In the first case, the Special Judge for CBI cases, Ahmedabad sentenced Shri Mahesh Kantilal Sompura, then ITO, Ward-6(1), Ahmedabad and Shri Mukesh Ramniklal Raval, then Inspector of Income Tax, Ward-6(1), Ahmedabad, to 03 years’ Rigorous Imprisonment with a total fine of Rs. 50,000/- each for demanding and accepting bribe for settling the Income Tax Returns for Assessment year 2009-10 in favour of complainant.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered the instant case on 19.08.2011 against accused on a complaint. It was alleged that both accused demanded an illegal gratification of Rs 1,75,000/- from complainant for settling in his favour the scrutiny of his and his wife’s Income Tax Returns for Assessment year 2009-10. After negotiation, the accused persons were caught red handed while accepting bribe of Rs. 50,000/-.
CBI filed chargesheet on 26.09.2011 after investigation. The Trial Court found the accused guilty and sentenced them accordingly.
In the second case, the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai sentenced 3 private accused to three years’ Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) with a total fine of Rs. 70,000/- in a CBI case related to availing Bank loan in fraudulent manner and defaulting the repayment.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered the said case on 24.07.2014 against Sh. S.P.K. Selvam (Private Person) and others on the allegations of availing loan from Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), Meenakshi College Branch, Madurai under Swarna Jayanti Shahar Rozgar Yojana(SJSRY) scheme in fraudulent manner during the year 2009 to 2012. It was also alleged that the borrower defaulted repayment of loan and the account became NPA, which caused loss of Rs. 29.98 lakh (approx.) to the Bank.
After investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet against private persons including Sh. S.P.K. Selvam; Sh. C. Jagdeeswaran; Sh. S. Chinnasamy and Smt. K. Sathiya for the offences of conspiracy, cheating and forgery of documents and using the forged documents as genuine.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Madurai convicted and sentenced Sh. S.P.K. Selvam to 3 years’ RI, with a fine of Rs. 50,000/- and Sh. C. Jagdeeswaran and Smt. K. Sathiya to three years RI with fine of Rs. 10,000/- each. Sh. S. Chinnasamy died during trial, hence charges against him were abated.
B. CBI ARRESTS A CGST SUPERINTENDENT FOR ACCEPTING BRIBE OF Rs. 10,000/-
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Superintendent, Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST), Division- Rudrapur, District Udham Singh Nagar, (Uttarakhand) while accepting bribe of Rs. 10,000 from the complainant.
CBI registered a case on a complaint against accused Superintendent, Central Goods and Service Tax (CGST), Division- Rudrapur, District Udham Singh Nagar, (Uttarakhand). It was alleged that said accused demanded a bribe of Rs. 15,000/- from the complainant for activation of suspended GSTIN of a firm of his wife. Bribe amount was later reduced to Rs. 10,000/-.
CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red handed while accepting bribe of Rs.10,000/-.
Searches were conducted at the premises of accused at Rudrapur (District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand) and Ambala (Haryana). Searches led to recovery of documents etc. of two lockers, bank accounts and certain incriminating documents.
Investigation is continuing.
