Four GST Officials Arrested for Extortion in Bengaluru Fraud Case
In a shocking turn of events, four officers from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department have been arrested for allegedly conducting a fraudulent raid and extorting a staggering Rs 1.5 crore from a Bengaluru businessman. The Karnataka Central Crime Branch (CCB) police apprehended the officials, identified as Abhishek, a superintendent from the South Commissionerate, alongside senior intelligence officers Manoj Saini and Nagesh Babu, as well as intelligence officer Sonali Sahay.
The crucial arrests stemmed from a complaint filed by Keshav Tak, owner of Mexo Solutions Private Limited. According to Tak, the GST officials deceived him by posing as members of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and conducted an unauthorized raid at his residence between August 30 and September 1. They allegedly seized mobile phones, detained Tak and his associates, and demanded a ransom of Rs 3 crore. Under duress, the amount was negotiated to Rs 1.5 crore, which Tak was forced to arrange.
Unsettled by the encounter, Tak launched his own investigation and quickly uncovered that the raid was illegal. On September 2, he reported the matter to the police, setting off a chain of events that led to the swift arrest of the involved authorities.
During the subsequent investigation, CCB officers seized 32 mobile phones, two laptops, and 50 chequebooks from the accused, though no cash has been recovered. A local court has permitted the police to keep the arrested GST officials in custody for ten days as they delve deeper into the case, sifting through suspicious transactions in a bid to recover the extorted funds.
The incident underscores growing concerns over corruption within tax enforcement agencies and raises questions about the integrity of public officials in positions of power.
