Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The CBI has arrested two people in connection with a Rs 1 crore bribery case linked to the redevelopment of flats in New Panvel. The accused include Pankaj Kumar alias Pankaj Rajput, Superintendent of the Land and Building Section at the office of the Commissioner of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Central Excise, Raigad, and CGST consultant Prasad Kumar Swami.
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The accused have been identified as Superintendent Pankaj Kumar alias Pankaj Rajput and CGST consultant Prasad Kumar Swami. The CBI registered a case on September 9 based on a complaint by the project head of a private realty company undertaking the redevelopment of two buildings in Sector 17, New Panvel, Maharashtra.
According to the complaint, 24 flats in the two buildings are owned by the CGST and Central Excise, Raigad Commissionerate, while the necessary approvals from the local authorities for the redevelopment had already been obtained. The accused demanded Rs 1 crore for issuing the no-objection certificate (NOC) and handing over the flats for redevelopment.
During verification of the complaint, the accused officer demanded Rs 10 lakh in cash, Rs 20 lakh as the down payment for a flat purchased by him, and another Rs 70 lakh at a later stage for other officers of DG HRD, CGST, New Delhi.
The CBI laid a trap on September 10 after the Superintendent directed the complainant to hand over Rs 10 lakh to CGST consultant Prasad Kumar Swami, who was present at the spot. Both accused were arrested the same day.
They were produced before the competent court on September 11, which granted two days of police custody to the CBI.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
