Tax Inspector tries to Extort Rs.15 Lakh from GST Tribunal Judge in Nagpur; 2 Arrested

An inspector from the state sales tax department in Nagpur, Maharashtra, has been detained for allegedly attempting to extort Rs 15 lakh from a judge of the Goods and Services Tax tribunal.

The inspector, Rajkumar Diwase, reportedly sent texts to the judge, Ramesh Bhagu Zaid, threatening to expose him with the help of an RTI activist if he did not pay the money. He also told the judge that if he did not cooperate, he would be physically hurt.

Zaid, 59, is a former joint commissioner of the state sales tax department. In November of last year, he was relocated to Nagpur. Diwase had approached him in an attempt to delay the transfer order.

After receiving the extortion threats, Zaid filed a police report. On Sunday, Diwase and his accomplice, Prakash Gaikwad, were apprehended. They have been charged with extortion and other applicable Indian Penal Code violations.

Concerns have been expressed concerning the safety of Indian judges as a result of the occurrence. It also serves as a warning that tighter regulations are needed to safeguard public officials from corruption and extortion.