Another GST official held in Rs 2.5 lakh bribe case

Under the special campaign being run against corruption in Haryana, the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau on Sunday achieved another significant breakthrough.

After catching a GST Department Superintendent red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 2.50 lakh, the Bureau has now arrested Inspector Naresh Kumar, posted with Central GST, Bahadurgarh, in continuation of the same case. During the investigation, Naresh Kumar’s name was not only found in the FIR, but he was also clearly identified in the voice recording provided by the complainant. Furthermore, the statement of co-accused Bharat Meena revealed that both officers were jointly demanding a bribe from the complainant. Acting on this evidence, Inspector Devender of ACB Jhajjar apprehended Naresh Kumar on Sunday.

According to available information, the accused officer had demanded Rs 2.50 lakh in illegal gratification from the complainant for activating the complainant’s firm’s GST number. After verifying the authenticity of the complaint, the Bureau laid a well-planned trap and arrested Superintendent Bharat Meena with the bribe amount at Bada Bhaiya Chowk, Basi village, Gurugram. The Rohtak team had been monitoring the case for the past seven days, after which the second accused, Naresh Kumar, was also caught Sunday.

Preliminary investigation indicates that more officers may be involved in the bribery racket. The Bureau has made it clear that any officer or employee whose name surfaces during the probe will face strict legal action. A case under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered and an in-depth investigation is under way. The recovered amount has been sealed for judicial proceedings. Bureau chief Ajay Singhal reiterated that, under the state government’s ‘zero-tolerance’ policy towards corruption, stringent action will continue and bribery by any officer or employee will not be tolerated. He urged the public to immediately report any demand for bribes by government officials to the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau on the toll-free numbers 1800-180-2022 or 1064.