CBI Books Four CGST Officials for Illegal Search and Attempt to Extort Private Firm in Nagpur

In a significant crackdown on corruption within government ranks, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against four officials of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) department—including two Superintendents—for allegedly conducting an unauthorized search of a private company’s premises in Nagpur and attempting to extract undue advantage from the taxpayer.

The case was initiated following a complaint filed by K.C. Johny, Chief Commissioner of Central Indirect Taxes and Customs, Nagpur Zone. According to the complaint dated February 27, 2025, intelligence inputs received by the department indicated that four CGST officers from various formations within the Nagpur Zone had unlawfully entered and searched the premises of a private company located in Abhyankar Nagar on January 7.

A preliminary vigilance inquiry was launched, and on January 10, a team visited the firm’s premises to verify the report. During this visit, CCTV footage corroborating the presence of the four officers was retrieved. Additionally, the taxpayer submitted a written confirmation stating that the officials had indeed visited their office and carried out an unauthorized search on the aforementioned date.

The inquiry further revealed that the officials had no formal authorization or jurisdiction to conduct proceedings under the CGST Act at the location in question. None of the four officers were assigned duties that permitted such visits or enforcement actions at the taxpayer's premises.

Following these findings, all four officers were suspended on January 10, 2025. Two inspectors who were still on probation were subsequently dismissed from service on February 4, 2025.

According to the complaint, evidence gathered during the internal probe indicates that the officers attempted to solicit undue advantage in exchange for concluding the unauthorized proceedings they had initiated.

Taking cognizance of the complaint and the evidence presented, the CBI has registered an FIR under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, including charges of criminal conspiracy and attempt to obtain an undue advantage by public servants.

This development underscores the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and misuse of power by public officials.

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