In a shocking development, four officials from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department were arrested on Wednesday in Bengaluru for allegedly assaulting and extorting Rs1.5 crore in cash from a local businessman. The arrests were made by officers from the Central Crime Branch (CCB), who acted swiftly after receiving a complaint from the victim.
The arrested officials include Abhishek, a Superintendent of Central Tax from the South Commissionerate of Bengaluru zone, Manoj Saini and Nagesh Babu, both senior intelligence officers, and Sonali Sahay, an intelligence officer also from Bengaluru. According to the CCB, the officials were involved in coercing the businessman and threatening him with false tax evasion charges unless he paid the extortion money.
In the process, the officials are believed to have threatened the businessman with severe legal consequences if he refused to comply. Fearing for his safety and business, the victim reportedly handed over Rs1.5 crore in cash as demanded.
After receiving a tip-off, the CCB launched an investigation and arrested the four officials. The police are continuing their inquiry to determine the full extent of the officials’ corrupt activities and whether they have been involved in similar cases in the past.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the abuse of power by government officials and their involvement in illegal activities like extortion and corruption. Authorities are determined to take strict action against those involved, with further charges likely as the investigation unfolds.
