Gujarat ACB nabs CGST officer, tax consultant in Rs 20 lakh bribery case

RAJKOT: A trap operation by the Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajkot has resulted in the arrest of a Central GST (CGST) superintendent and a tax consultant for allegedly accepting a Rs 20 lakh bribe, officials said on Wednesday.

Mukesh Kumar, 43, a superintendent posted with CGST Division-1, Range-5 in Rajkot, and Akash Kaloliya, 33, a tax consultant, were caught on April 28 during a planned operation at Creative Complex located near the city’s ST bus station.

According to the ACB, the case arose after a complaint was filed by a citizen against whom proceedings were pending at the CGST office over alleged non-payment of GST and issuance of false invoices.

Investigators said the superintendent initially demanded Rs 25 lakh to settle the matter and avoid initiating a major case.

The amount was later negotiated to Rs 20 lakh, which was to be paid through the consultant. Unwilling to pay, the complainant approached the ACB, following which a trap was laid.

During the operation, Kaloliya, acting on behalf of the superintendent, allegedly contacted the complainant, engaged in what officials described as “purposeful conversation”, and accepted Rs 20 lakh in cash.