Bengaluru: A Central GST Superintendent was allegedly caught accepting a ₹8 lakh bribe in Bengaluru after Lokayukta police laid a trap based on a complaint from a businessman, officials said. The officer, identified as Mohit Pratap Singh, was arrested along with an alleged middleman, Salman Sheik.
According to Lokayukta police, Singh had allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh from a businessman involved in the iron trade to close a GST-related case against him. The amount was later allegedly negotiated down to ₹8 lakh, which the businessman was instructed to hand over through the middleman.
The trap was conducted at Kendriya Sadan in Koramangala, where the accused GST officer was allegedly caught receiving the cash through Sheik.
GST officer allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh
Lokayukta police said the businessman had approached Singh regarding a complaint registered against him for alleged tax evasion.
According to the anti-corruption agency, Singh allegedly told the businessman that the case could be closed if he paid ₹20 lakh. The businessman subsequently approached the Lokayukta and reported the alleged demand.
The police then registered a case and planned a trap. During the operation, the businessman was instructed to hand over the money to the alleged middleman.
The ₹8 lakh amount was allegedly accepted as the final payment.
Middleman allegedly accepted cash
Lokayukta police identified Salman Sheik as the alleged middleman in the case.
According to investigators, Sheik was waiting near Singh’s chamber at Kendriya Sadan in Koramangala to receive the cash from the businessman. The police operation was carried out when the money was handed over.
The investigators subsequently apprehended both Singh and Sheik.
Reports said the GST official was serving as a Superintendent in South Division-4, A-Range, South Commissionerate of the Central GST department.
Lokayukta lays trap after complaint
The case came to light after the businessman approached Lokayukta police with the alleged bribery demand.
Anti-corruption officials verified the complaint and arranged the trap. The businessman was asked to cooperate with investigators and hand over the money as directed.
The operation resulted in the alleged recovery of ₹8 lakh and the arrest of the two accused.
The action was taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, according to reports.
The allegations against the accused remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.
Case linked to alleged tax-evasion complaint
The bribery allegation is connected to a GST case involving an iron-materials businessman.
Lokayukta police said the businessman had been booked over alleged tax evasion but claimed that the complaint against him was false. According to the police account, Singh allegedly knew about the complaint and offered to close the matter in return for the bribe.
The precise merits of the underlying GST complaint are separate from the bribery case and will have to be determined through the relevant proceedings.
Accused sent to judicial custody
Following their arrest, Singh and Sheik were reportedly produced before a court and sent to judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison.
The investigation is continuing, with Lokayukta officials examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged demand, the role of the middleman and the GST case that formed the basis of the alleged bribe demand.
Further investigation will determine whether additional people were involved and whether there were other related transactions.
Lokayukta continues anti-corruption action
The Bengaluru case comes amid continuing Lokayukta action against allegations of bribery involving public officials in Karnataka.
Anti-corruption agencies use trap operations to document alleged demands and acceptance of illegal gratification. In such cases, the arrest or trapping of an official does not by itself establish guilt, which must be determined through the legal process.
The Central GST officer’s case is now expected to proceed through investigation and court proceedings.