In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI ) has apprehended a Superintendent of Central GST & Central Excise, Berhampur, District Ganjam, Odisha, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 15,000/- from a complainant.
The arrest was made following a meticulous operation based on a complaint filed on July 9, 2024.
According to sources, the accused official had purportedly demanded Rs. 20,000 in exchange for expediting the processing of GST refunds totaling Rs. 4.77 lakh for the complainant. This included a previously processed refund of Rs. 1.77 lakh and an impending refund of nearly Rs. 3 lakh.
The CBI, acting swiftly on the complaint, orchestrated a trap operation at the Office of the Assistant Commissioner, Central GST & Central Excise, Berhampur. The accused was caught red-handed while accepting the initial instalment of the bribe, amounting to Rs. 15,000. Subsequent searches at the accused’s residences in Berhampur and Bhubaneswar yielded crucial documentary evidence, consolidating the case against him.
The arrested official was scheduled to appear before the Court of the Learned Special Judge for CBI Cases in Bhubaneswar.
Meanwhile, investigations into the matter are ongoing.
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