CBI Arrests CGST Additional Commissioner in ₹40 Lakh Bribery Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Mumbai arrested Vinay Kumar Kantheti, a 2009 batch IRS officer serving as Additional Commissioner of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) in Raigad, in connection with a bribery case. The CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch registered a case on August 26 under the Prevention of Corruption Act based on allegations that Rakesh Kumar Sinha, Superintendent CGST Khandeshwar, had demanded ₹1.50 crore as illegal gratification for settling a GST matter related to a stone-quarrying firm. The demand was later reduced to ₹40 lakh.
On August 27, the CBI laid a trap and apprehended private person Narinder Rajput while allegedly accepting ₹40 lakh on behalf of Sinha and Kantheti. All three accused were arrested and produced before the Special CBI Court, Thane. Though the lower court initially rejected the CBI's custody plea and released the accused on bail, the Bombay High Court on September 16 allowed the CBI's revision application, quashing the lower court's order.
