GST Officer arrested for demanding Bribe of Rs.30K to release seized Vehicle

Vigilance Investigators have detained Puri’s Commercial Tax & Goods and Services Tax (CT&GST) officer, Manas Ranjan Behera (33), on suspicion of accepting Rs.30,000 as a bribe from a man to release his seized vehicle.

The Puri commercial tax enforcement wing recently confiscated a goods-laden truck for failing to submit the necessary bills. According to government regulations, the vehicle owner paid a GST penalty of Rs.79,200 on March 19. However, Behera allegedly wanted Rs.30,000 to release the vehicle.

We received the complaint, conducted appropriate verification, and then set up a trap for Behera, who was arrested while taking the bribe. A vigilance officer reported that simultaneous searches were being conducted at three sites to determine whether Behera possessed disproportionate assets.