CBI Books Two GST Officers for Alleged Extortion

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR against two GST officers, V D Anand Kumar and Manish Sharma, from the Principal Commissionerate of Central Tax, Hyderabad, for allegedly extorting Rs 5 lakh from a businessman. The officers are accused of illegal gratification and threatening to impose GST on the complainant.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked two GST officials, V D Anand Kumar and Manish Sharma, stationed at the Principal Commissionerate of Central Tax in Hyderabad. The officials allegedly extorted Rs 5 lakh from a businessman, according to an official statement released on Tuesday.

The accused officials reportedly threatened to impose the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the businessman over alleged irregularities. They also allegedly seized the iron scrap shop of the businessman's company and demanded Rs 5 lakh as illegal gratification on July 04, 2023. Further demands of Rs 3 lakh were made to open the seized premises, the CBI spokesperson stated.

The CBI has conducted searches at two locations in Hyderabad and recovered incriminating documents related to the case. An FIR has been registered against the two officials.