Rajkot, April 29 (IANS) A trap operation by the Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajkot has resulted in the arrest of a Central GST (CGST) superintendent and a tax consultant for allegedly accepting a Rs 20 lakh bribe, officials said on Wednesday.

Mukesh Kumar, 43, a superintendent posted with CGST Division-1, Range-5 in Rajkot, and Akash Kaloliya, 33, a tax consultant, were caught on April 28 during a planned operation at Creative Complex located near the city’s ST bus station.

According to the ACB, the case arose after a complaint was filed by a citizen against whom proceedings were pending at the CGST office over alleged non-payment of GST and issuance of false invoices.

Investigators said the superintendent initially demanded Rs 25 lakh to settle the matter and avoid initiating a major case.

The amount was later negotiated to Rs 20 lakh, which was to be paid through the consultant. Unwilling to pay, the complainant approached the ACB, following which a trap was laid.

During the operation, Kaloliya, acting on behalf of the superintendent, allegedly contacted the complainant, engaged in what officials described as “purposeful conversation”, and accepted Rs 20 lakh in cash.

Both accused were caught red-handed, and the full amount was recovered, officials said.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway to determine any wider links.

The arrest comes amid a series of recent actions against corruption in tax administration.

Earlier this month, the ACB arrested two Central GST officials in Nadiad for allegedly demanding Rs 55 lakh to release a seized transport vehicle and caught them while accepting Rs 10 lakh during a trap operation.

In another case reported in February, a CGST officer in Rajkot was caught accepting a Rs 5,000 bribe in exchange for submitting a favourable inspection report, with the entire amount recovered during a trap near Racecourse Ground.

Officials said such operations are conducted following complaints from citizens, with traps laid to verify allegations before arrests are made.

The ACB has urged the public to report instances of bribery, stating that complaints are handled confidentially and acted upon promptly.

–IANS

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