Based on evidence and witness statements, the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Sunil Diwan convicted two officials of the Excise and Taxation Department accused of taking a bribe to issue a GST number, sentencing them each to five years' imprisonment on Friday. A fine of Rs 200,000 was also imposed on each of them. They were sent to prison as soon as the sentence was pronounced.

The Bribery Complaint

The case came to light in May 2022. According to the complaint, a businessman, Mohit, had applied to the Excise and Taxation Department for a GST number 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 told to meet Excise and Taxation Inspector Sumitra Godara, who was posted in Gurugram. When he went to meet the inspector, a demand for Rs 700,000 was made. He was asked to pay Rs 200,000 as an advance.

Anti-Corruption Bureau Trap And Arrests

The distressed businessman complained about this on the Anti-Corruption Bureau's toll-free number. In view of the seriousness of the matter, a trap was laid to apprehend the accused. Two teams were formed under the leadership of Inspector Sumit Kumar and Inspector Saroj, stationed at the Bureau's Karnal office. Separate teams were dispatched to Gurugram and Faridabad to take action. The businessman was also sent to Inspector Sumitra Godara's office to hand over the money. On May 9, 2022, the inspector was arrested as soon as she accepted the money. A short while later, ETO Roshanlal was also arrested from the Faridabad office.

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Connection Between The Accused

According to information, during 2022, ETO Roshanlal and Inspector Sumitra Godara lived on different floors of the same building in Gurugram's Sector-39 area. Due to this, they knew each other well. Roshanlal has also worked in Gurugram before. Both were posted in Gurugram, which is why even though the complaint originated in Faridabad, the case was registered in Gurugram and brought before the local court.

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Current Status And Departmental Action

Both were later granted bail. Roshanlal was currently posted in the Rohtak office, while Sumitra Godara is suspended. A few months ago, she had been arrested again on bribery charges during a posting in Palwal. The headquarters of the Excise and Taxation Department is studying the court's decision. Further departmental action will be initiated soon. It is reported that since both officials have been sentenced by the court, there is no alternative but to dismiss them. The verdict has caused a stir throughout the department, as several other officials are also facing allegations of bribery. They are currently working while out on bail.