The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested two officials, Senior Accounts Officer Ravishanker Jha and Assistant Accounts Officer Kapil Jain from the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) office in Vapi for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 2,000 from a local nursery owner.
According to sources, the nursery owner had supplied potted plants worth Rs. 29,000 to the CGST office in Vapi a few months ago. Following the delivery, the complainant submitted his bill and repeatedly followed up with the office to get the payment released. Despite several visits and reminders, the payment remained pending.
During one of the visits, it is alleged that Assistant Accounts Officer Kapil Jain demanded Rs. 2,000 from the nursery owner to facilitate the release of the pending payment. The demand was reportedly made in the presence of Senior Accounts Officer Ravishanker Jha.
Refusing to succumb to the illegal demand, the nursery owner approached the ACB and lodged a formal complaint with its Valsad unit. The bureau conducted a preliminary verification and subsequently planned a trap to catch the officers in the act.
On Tuesday, the ACB laid the trap at the CGST office in Vapi. Following the bureau’s instructions, the complainant handed over marked currency notes to the officers. As soon as the transaction took place, plainclothes ACB officials swooped in and apprehended both Jha and Jain on the spot. The bribe amount of Rs. 2,000 was recovered from their possession.
Both officials were immediately taken to the ACB office in Valsad for questioning. They have been booked under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which addresses illegal gratification accepted by public servants.
ACB Surat Assistant Director R. R. Chaudhary confirmed the arrests and stated that both accused are currently under interrogation. He further indicated that the investigation is ongoing to determine whether the officers may have accepted bribes in other cases as well.
This incident highlights the persistent issue of corruption at government offices and underscores the vigilance of anti-corruption authorities in Gujarat.
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