Jagran correspondent, Gurugram. The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Sunil Diwan found both the officers of the Excise and Taxation Department accused of demanding a bribe of Rs 7 lakh in exchange for issuing GST number and Rs 2 lakh as advance and sentenced them to five years' imprisonment each. A fine of Rs 2 lakh each has also been imposed on both of them. As soon as the sentence was pronounced, both of them were sent away.
demanded seven lakh rupees
The matter came to light in the month of May 2022. According to the complaint, businessman Mohit had applied for a GST number in the Excise and Taxation Department to start his business in Faridabad. When the file reached Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO) Roshanlal, he rejected it citing shortcomings. When he applied again, he was asked to meet Excise and Taxation Inspector (Inspector) Sumitra Godara posted in Gurugram. When he went to meet the inspector, he was demanded Rs 7 lakh.
Help sought on toll free number of Anti Corruption Bureau
Asked to pay Rs 2 lakh as advance. The troubled businessman complained about this on the toll free number of Anti Corruption Bureau. Considering the seriousness of the matter, a trap was laid to catch the accused. Two teams were formed under the leadership of Inspector Sumit Kumar and Inspector Saroj posted in the Karnal office of the Bureau. Separate teams were sent to Gurugram and Faridabad for action.
Both were granted bail
Also, the businessman was sent to Inspector Sumitra Godara's office to pay the money. As soon as the inspector took the money on May 9, 2022, he was arrested. Shortly after this, ETO Rationallal was also arrested from Faridabad office. Later both of them got bail. Rashanlal was currently posted in Rohtak office while Sumitra Godara is under suspension. He was arrested again a few months ago on bribery charges while posted in Palwal.
Both lived in the same building
According to the information, during the year 2022, ETO Roshanlal and Inspector Sumitra Godara lived upstairs in a building in Sector-39 area of Gurugram. Because of this both of them knew each other well. Roshanlal has also been working in Gurugram. Both were posted in Gurugram, hence even though the complaint was lodged in Faridabad, the case was registered in Gurugram and presented in the local court.
Departmental headquarters is studying the decision
The headquarters of the Excise and Taxation Department is studying the court's decision. Further departmental action will be initiated soon. It is said that both the officers have been sentenced by the court. In such a situation, there is no other option but to dismiss both of them. The court's decision has created a stir in the entire department as many other officers are also facing allegations of taking bribes. At present, he is out on bail.
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