The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recently made headlines with the arrest of a Superintendent of Central GST & Central Excise in Berhampur, Odisha. The officer was apprehended while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 15,000 from a complainant, related to the processing of GST refunds.
The incident unfolded when a complaint was lodged against the accused official, citing demands for bribe money. The complainant claimed that the Superintendent had previously facilitated a GST refund of Rs. 1.77 lakh and was now seeking Rs. 20,000 for processing further refunds totaling approximately Rs. 3 lakh.
Prompt action by the CBI led to the registration of a case on July 9, 2024. A trap was laid, resulting in the Superintendent’s arrest at the office of the Assistant Commissioner, Central GST & Central Excise, Berhampur, where he was caught red-handed while accepting the initial installment of the bribe.
Following the arrest, searches were conducted at both the residential and official premises of the accused in Berhampur and Bhubaneswar. These searches yielded incriminating documents, further bolstering the case against the accused.
The Superintendent is scheduled to be presented before the Special Judge for CBI Cases in Bhubaneswar today. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with authorities expected to delve deeper into the alleged corruption and related activities.
This incident underscores the CBI’s commitment to combating corruption within government departments. The arrest of the Superintendent sends a strong message about the agency’s proactive stance against bribery and malpractice. As the investigation continues, it remains crucial to uphold integrity and accountability in public service, ensuring fair and transparent governance for all citizens.
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Central Bureau of Investigation
Press Releases
Dated: 11-07-2024
CBI Arrests A Superintendent Of CGST & Central Excise While Accepting Bribe Of Rs. 15,000/- From Complainant
CBI has arrested accused Superintendent of Central GST & Central Excise, Berhampur, District Ganjam, Odisha while accepting bribe of Rs. 15,000/- from the complainant in lieu of processing his GST refund.
A case was registered by CBI on 09.07.2024 on the basis of the complaint against the said Superintendent of Central GST & Central Excise, Berhampur. It was alleged that accused demanded bribe of Rs. 20,000/- from the complainant on the ground that the accused had earlier processed refund of GST amounting to Rs. 1.77 lakh to the complainant and on the ground of smoothly processing another GST refund of nearly Rs. 3 lakh to the complainant.
CBI laid a trap and accused Superintendent of Central GST & Central Excise, Berhampur, District Ganjam, Odisha was arrested by CBI from the Office of Asstt. Commissioner, Central GST & Central Excise, Berhampur, District Ganjam, Odisha when he was caught red-handed while accepting the first instalment of bribe amount of Rs. 15,000/-, out of the total demanded bribe amount of Rs. 20,000/-, from the complainant.
Searches were conducted at the residential and official premises of the accused at Berhampur and Bhubaneswar which led to recovery of incriminating documents.
Accused is being produced before the Court of Ld. Special Judge for CBI Cases at Bhubaneswar today.
Investigation is continuing.
This is a routine affair in GST department. Nothing moves if assessee do not oblige these corrupt officers. The level of corruption is eating into the economic development of the country. Even if some time relief is given at First level, the audit department raises irrelevant objection and seek their share. Extremely bad state of affairs.