CBI arrests two GST officials in Hyderabad in bribery sting operation

Hyderabad: Two officials from the office of the GST/Customs Department were caught red-handed while accepting bribes by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Hyderabad. The accused were caught while accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000 from the retired Assistant Commissioner of the same department on Tuesday.

The tainted officials have been identified as D. Prakash Rao, a Senior Accounts Officer, and P. Sudharshan, a Senior Assistant, both from the office of the GST/Customs Department, Hyderabad, Telangana.

According to the CBI officials, a case was registered earlier against the accused and unknown others. The complaint was filed by a retired Assistant Commissioner of the GST/Customs Department, Hyderabad, who alleged that the officials had demanded a bribe of Rs 30,000 to release arrears related to a pay parity bill. After negotiation, the amount was reportedly reduced to Rs 25,000.

The CBI laid a trap and apprehended both accused red-handed while they were allegedly demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs 25,000 from the complainant. Both individuals were arrested on the spot.

Searches are in progress at the residential premises of the accused in Hyderabad. The case is under investigation, said CBI in a statement.