In a significant operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested three individuals, including a Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) official, in connection with a ₹60 lakh bribery case. The case revolves around the alleged illegal confinement and abuse of a Mumbai-based businessman by CGST officers, who demanded a hefty bribe in exchange for not arresting him during an ongoing investigation.

The Arrests and Accusations

The CBI arrested CGST Superintendent Sachin Gokulka, Chartered Accountant (CA) Raj Aggarwal, and Abhishek Mehta. Gokulka, who was part of the anti-evasion wing at Mumbai West Commissionerate, was allegedly involved in coercing the businessman into paying a bribe. According to the CBI, the businessman had been confined for 18 hours in the CGST's Santacruz office before his release. During this time, Gokulka and his colleagues demanded ₹80 lakh, which was later negotiated down to ₹60 lakh.

How the Incident Unfolded

The incident began when the businessman was summoned to the CGST office on the evening of September 4. He was held there overnight, during which Gokulka and three other CGST superintendents—Bijender Janawa, Nikhil Agrawal, and Nitin Kumar Gupta—allegedly pressured him using threats, force, and abuse. The businessman was forced to contact his cousin to arrange for the bribe money.

A portion of the bribe, ₹30 lakh, was paid via a hawala network through an ‘angadia’ service. The businessman was only released the next day after this payment was made. The remaining ₹30 lakh was to be delivered in two installments, with Aggarwal acting as the middleman.

The CBI Sting

The CBI, acting on the businessman’s complaint, laid a trap and caught Aggarwal red-handed while accepting ₹20 lakh, the first installment of the remaining bribe. The investigation revealed that the bribe was orchestrated by multiple high-ranking CGST officials, including Additional Commissioner Deepak Kumar Sharma and Joint Commissioner Rahul Kumar.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Gokulka and Mehta near Oshiwara Police Station, where they were caught attempting to complete the bribe transaction.

Legal Proceedings and Search Operations

The arrested individuals were produced before a special CBI court in Mumbai, where Gokulka and Aggarwal were remanded in CBI custody until September 10. Mehta was sent to judicial custody. In the course of the investigation, the CBI conducted searches at nine locations, including the residences and offices of the accused, and recovered incriminating documents related to the case.

The case highlights the rampant corruption within some sections of the CGST department and the lengths to which officials are willing to go to extract bribes. The CBI’s swift action, resulting in multiple arrests, has sent a strong message about accountability and the consequences of illegal activities within government bodies. Further investigations are expected to bring more clarity on the involvement of other officials.