Overview
- Two CGST superintendents were caught in a CBI trap allegedly taking Rs 70 lakh as the first instalment of a Rs 1.5 crore demand to settle GST evasion matters.
- Those arrested are Deputy Commissioner Prabha Bhandari, superintendents Anil Tiwari and Ajay Kumar Sharma, advocate Naresh Kumar Gupta, and businessman Raju Mangtani.
- Searches at multiple locations yielded about Rs 1.6 crore in cash along with jewellery, bullion and property documents, with raids and assessments continuing.
- After the recorded call, Bhandari was arrested in Delhi and, along with the others, presented before a special CBI court in Lucknow for further proceedings.
- The CBI has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and is tracing additional beneficiaries and assets linked to the alleged racket.