5 GST Officers Arrested for Allegedly Demanding Rs. 5 Crore Bribe
In a shocking turn of events, five officials from the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) were arrested on alleged corruption charges. The Ghaziabad police recently registered an FIR against these officers for allegedly demanding a staggering Rs. 5 crore bribe from a local businessman. The officials, posted in the DGGI Gurugram office, now face charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Allegations:
The complainant, a 55-year-old businessman named Arun Kumar Som, residing in Ghaziabad, has accused the GST officials of intimidation and corruption. Som claims that the officers sought the bribe to ‘settle’ a matter and even went to the extent of threatening him with imprisonment if he failed to comply.
According to Som, the officials initially demanded Rs. 5 crore, claiming that the money would be distributed among higher-ranking officials. Fearful of the consequences, Som alleges that he paid Rs. 2.35 crore over a month. However, the officials continued to press for more. Som approached the police, filed complaints, and even sought intervention from the Police Commissioner, but no action was taken until he approached the court.
Legal Action:
After Som’s plea under CRPC 156 (3), the court ordered the registration of an FIR against the GST officials. The Ghaziabad police has now initiated legal proceedings under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Som’s Perspective:
In his detailed complaint, Som recounts the distressing events, including a raid on his company where computers and documents were confiscated, and the arrest of the company director. Som alleges that the officers persistently discussed monetary settlements and discarded company documents during his visits to the DGGI’s Gurugram office.
Som further claims that he arranged for Rs. 50 lakh and paid it in Delhi as the officials demanded. However, the harassment did not end there, as the officers allegedly demanded an additional Rs. 4.5 crore. Fearing social disgrace and imprisonment, Som complied, paying another Rs. 1 crore and Rs. 75 lakh on different occasions.
Ongoing Investigation:
The ACP Kavinagar Abhishek Srivastava assured that the matter is under investigation, and the statements of the plaintiff and other relevant individuals will be recorded. Legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
Conclusion:
This alarming case sheds light on the alleged corruption within the GST department, with five officials now facing serious charges. As the investigation unfolds, the spotlight is on the legal system to ensure a fair and just resolution. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability within government agencies to uphold the trust of the public they serve.
