2 GST Officers Arrested for accepting Rs.1.5 Lakhs Bribe to settle Service Tax SCN

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an Assistant Commissioner and Inspector of CGST and CX of Div-1 (Belapur, Navi Mumbai) in a case of demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.1.5 lakh from the complainant.

A case was filed against the accused Assistant Commissioner in response to a complaint. The complainant, a transport firm partner, allegedly received a Show Cause Notice from the Assistant Commissioner, CGST & CX, Div-1, Belapur Commissionerate, Navi Mumbai. Furthermore, it was claimed that the complainant subsequently submitted the required documents.

It was further alleged that the accused Assistant Commissioner demanded a bribe of Rs. 6,00,000 from the complainant in order to settle the Show Cause Notice for Service Tax. After negotiations, the accused public servant agreed to accept a bribe of Rs. 1,50,000. The plaintiff was instructed to pay a bribe through the Inspector, CGST.

The CBI set up a trap and caught the said CGST Inspector while taking a bribe of Rs.1.5 lakh from the complainant on behalf of the accused Assistant Commissioner, CGST and CX, Div-1, Belapur, Navi Mumbai. Both have been arrested by the CBI.

Searches are being undertaken at the residences and offices of the accused public servants.

The arrested accused will appear before the Competent Court. The investigation is continuing.