The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested Ajit Kumar Patra, an Odisha native, for allegedly masterminding a sophisticated impersonation and bribery racket. Patra reportedly posed as a senior GST officer and other top government officials to extort money from businessmen.
Patra was caught red-handed in Rajasthan while accepting a bribe of Rs 18 lakh. Subsequent searches across Delhi, Rajasthan, and Odisha led to the seizure of Rs 3.7 crore in cash, over 1 kg of gold jewellery, and multiple high-end vehicles.
The operation began after intelligence revealed that Patra, along with his associate Minku Lal Jain, was demanding a bribe from a Jaipur-based businessman to ‘settle’ a case with tax authorities. The businessman, who was under investigation by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) in Jaipur, was approached by Patra, who falsely claimed influence over DGGI and other enforcement officials.
The duo allegedly demanded Rs 18 lakh through Parihar’s associate Jagjit Singh Gill. Acting on the intelligence, CBI officers set a trap and apprehended them on November 10, recovering the bribe on the spot.
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted simultaneous raids at over 20 locations linked to Patra and Jain across Delhi, Rajasthan, and Odisha. Investigators seized:
Rs 3.7 crore in cash
1 kg of gold ornaments
26 property documents in the names of Patra and relatives
A fleet of 16 vehicles, including 4 luxury cars
Numerous digital devices, documents, and fake identification materials
Officials revealed that Patra operated under multiple false identities, often presenting himself as a senior official of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the Ministry of Finance, or other enforcement wings. These fake credentials allowed him to access restricted zones, stay in official government guest houses, and receive VIP treatment at public and religious events.
The CBI has confirmed that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the racket and identify additional accomplices.
