CBI Cracks Down on High-Value Bribery Racket in CGST Jhansi, Deputy Commissioner Among Five Arrested
In a major anti-corruption operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation has busted an alleged high-level bribery racket within the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) department in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi, arresting a deputy commissioner, two superintendents, a businessman, and a tax advocate for allegedly conspiring to settle GST evasion cases in exchange for a hefty bribe.
According to officials, the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Lucknow arrested Prabha Bhandari, Deputy Commissioner, CGST, Jhansi, along with superintendents Anil Tiwari and Ajay Kumar Sharma.
Also taken into custody were Jhansi-based businessman Raju Mangtani, one of the owners of Jai Durga Hardwares, and tax advocate Naresh Kumar Gupta, who allegedly acted as the middleman in the deal.
First Instalment of a Larger Bribe
CBI officials said the accused CGST officers had allegedly demanded a total bribe of ₹1.50 crore from Mangtani to “manage” and settle GST evasion cases pending against his firm and other associated entities.
The ₹70 lakh that changed hands was allegedly the first instalment of the agreed amount.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the CBI laid a trap and caught superintendents Anil Tiwari and Ajay Kumar Sharma red-handed on Tuesday while they were allegedly receiving a cash bag containing ₹70 lakh from Mangtani.
The arrest took place during the exchange itself, lending strong prima facie evidence to the agency’s case, officials said.
Deputy Commissioner’s Role Under Scanner
During preliminary questioning, the arrested superintendents reportedly told investigators that the bribe demand had been initiated at the behest of Deputy Commissioner Prabha Bhandari, and that they were acting as conduits.
Bhandari was in Delhi at the time of the trap but was directed by the agency to report to Jhansi immediately. She was arrested the following day after questioning.
Massive Seizures During Searches
Following the arrests, the CBI carried out extensive searches at the residential and official premises of the accused officers, the businessman, and other suspects.
The agency recovered ₹90 lakh in cash, along with jewellery and documents related to movable and immovable properties.
With the earlier seizure of ₹70 lakh during the trap, the total amount recovered so far stands at ₹1.60 crore. Searches are still underway, officials said, suggesting the possibility of further recoveries.
Case Registered Against Multiple Accused
The CBI had registered a case on December 30 against the deputy commissioner, two superintendents, the tax advocate, owners of private firms, and other unidentified persons.
The FIR alleges criminal conspiracy and the demand and acceptance of undue advantage in return for extending illegal favours in GST evasion matters.
Officials said the investigation will now focus on tracing the money trail, identifying other beneficiaries, and examining whether similar “settlement” arrangements were made with additional firms.
The arrests underline the CBI’s continuing push to root out corruption within revenue and enforcement agencies, particularly in cases involving large-scale financial impropriety and abuse of official position.
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