Chennai, April 8: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two officials from the GST department in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet for their involvement in a bribery case.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Yellamili Rinkesh (Superintendent) and Ramkesh Meena (Inspector). They were apprehended during a trap operation conducted by the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch based in Chennai.
According to the CBI, a complaint filed on April 7 alleged that the Superintendent demanded a bribe of ₹30,000 from a taxpayer to clear GST registration. After negotiations, the amount was settled at ₹15,000.
Based on the complaint, the CBI set up a trap on the same day and caught the Superintendent red-handed while accepting the ₹15,000 bribe.
During the investigation, the Inspector’s involvement also came to light. Officials reported that upon realizing the presence of the trap team, the Inspector attempted to destroy evidence by flushing the bribe money down the toilet. However, the CBI team managed to recover the cash.
Following the recovery of the bribe money and initial questioning, both suspects have been taken into custody. The agency stated that further investigation is ongoing to determine if other officials were also involved.
The CBI reiterated its commitment to curbing corruption in government offices and urged citizens to report any instances of bribery through the Anti-Corruption Branch or designated helplines.
This action is seen as a significant step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in government departments, particularly in tax administration.
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