CBI arrests CGST inspector, middleman in bribery case

Lucknow, Apr 10, 2025

The central bureau of investigation on Wednesday arrested two accused — a central goods and services tax (CGST) inspector and a middleman — in a bribery case involving the illegal demand of Rs 6,000 for the issuance of a GST number.

The case was registered by the CBI on Apr 7 under section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). According to officials, the complaint alleged that Abhishek Swami, a private individual acting as a middleman for CGST Baraut, Baghpat, demanded a bribe of Rs 6,000 from the complainant to facilitate the allotment of a GST number for his firm.

The CBI laid a trap and caught Swami on Apr 7 while he accepted the bribe in Baraut.

During the investigation, evidence surfaced pointing to the direct involvement of Vivek Kumar Singh, an inspector with the CGST office in Baraut. Investigators found that Singh orchestrated the bribe demand through Swami and was the ultimate beneficiary of the ₹6,000 illegal gratification. The bribe was allegedly meant to expedite the GST registration process using Singh's official position.

Despite being summoned, Singh reportedly refused to cooperate with the investigation and was found to be deliberately withholding information. As a result, he was arrested by the CBI on Wednesday.

CBI teams also conducted searches at the premises of both accused in Baghpat and Mirzapur, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents and materials related to the case.

[The Times of India]