Guwahati, 1st July: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended a Commissioner (Appeals) from Central GST & CE, Guwahati, along with a middleman, in connection with an alleged bribery case amounting to Rs. 3.83 lakh.
Reports indicate that the arrests were made following a complaint involving irregularities related to construction work for the N.F. Railway. The complainant had submitted bills for the construction work, leading to a Service Tax demand of Rs. 48,43,034 issued by the Additional Commissioner of Central Goods & Service Tax in Dibrugarh.
Unsatisfied with the demand, the complainant appealed the decision before the Commissioner (Appeals) of CGST, Central Excise & Customs in Guwahati. Allegedly, during appeal hearings, the Commissioner sought a bribe of Rs. 4,50,000, which was negotiated down to Rs. 3.83 lakh to settle the matter.
Acting on the complaint, the CBI conducted a sting operation and caught a middleman red-handed while accepting the bribe on behalf of the Commissioner, who is an IRS officer. Simultaneously, the Commissioner himself was detained during the operation.
During subsequent searches at their premises, the CBI recovered incriminating materials. Both individuals are expected to appear before the Competent Court as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
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