CBI Arrests CGST Officer and Consultant in ₹1 Crore Bribery Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Superintendent of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Excise along with a private consultant in connection with an alleged ₹1 crore bribery scheme in Raigad district, Maharashtra. According to officials, the case was registered following a complaint by the project head of a private real estate firm undertaking the redevelopment of 24 flats belonging to the CGST department in New Panvel.
Investigators stated that the accused Superintendent, identified as Pankaj Kumar, demanded ₹1 crore from the developer in exchange for issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and handing over the premises for construction work. During complaint verification, the officer allegedly requested an immediate cash installment of ₹10 lakh, along with a down payment for a residential flat and future payments for other officials.
Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and apprehended both the officer and consultant Prasad Kumar Swami as the bribe amount was being transferred. Both individuals were produced before a competent court and remanded to police custody as further financial investigations continue. The agency is probing whether other high-ranking officials were part of the extortion conspiracy.
