New Delhi (Agency): In Mumbai, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Hemant Kumar, a superintendent of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), on charges of demanding a bribe of ₹30 lakh. This case sheds light on the ongoing fight against corruption within governmental departments.
The incident began when Hemant Kumar, posted at Bhiwandi Commissionerate, demanded ₹30 lakh from a tax consultant. The purpose of this bribe was to settle tax issues related to Wellfull Inter-Trade Pvt Ltd, a company based in Guangzhou, China. However, the company refused to comply with this demand and instead urged the consultant to report the matter to the CBI.
Upon receiving the complaint, the CBI proceeded to verify the allegations. They asked the tax consultant to negotiate with Kumar to gather evidence. A meeting was arranged at Wadala Railway Station in Mumbai, where Kumar allegedly lowered his demand to ₹15 lakh. This negotiation was “tapped by the consultant,” officials said.
After confirming the allegations, the CBI took immediate action. They laid a trap, and Kumar was caught red-handed accepting ₹5 lakh as part of the payment. Following his arrest, the CBI conducted searches at Kumar’s residences in Mumbai and Ghaziabad.
“The CBI conducted searches at residential premises of the accused at Mumbai and Ghaziabad which led to the recovery of cash worth Rs 42.7 lakh (approx), documents related to movable/immovable assets, and other incriminating documents,” a CBI spokesperson revealed. This discovery further solidified the case against the CGST official.
Hemant Kumar was brought before the special judge for CBI cases in Mumbai on Friday. The court decided that he would be remanded to police custody until August 21. This custody will allow further investigation and a detailed examination of the evidence.
The arrest of a government tax official on bribery charges is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within the public sector in India. It emphasizes the importance of reporting unethical practices and highlights the CBI’s active role in ensuring that justice is served.