Bombay HC Orders Two-Day CBI Custody Of 3 CGST Officers In Alleged ₹40-Lakh Bribery Case

Mumbai's Bombay High Court has ordered two days of custody for three CGST officers in an alleged Rs 40 lakh bribery case. The court rejected the Thane Sessions Court's decision that granted bail to the officers. Justice Shivkumar Dige stated that the lower court had not thoroughly examined the evidence and had made "pervers" findings.

The case involves allegations of illegal gratification in connection with pending CGST proceedings. Rakesh Kumar Sinha, a CGST Superintendent, is accused of demanding Rs 1.5 crore, later reduced to Rs 40 lakh, from a complainant's firm. Narinder Rajput, an alleged recipient of the bribe, was arrested on August 27 while allegedly accepting the money.

The CBI also claims to have recovered Rs 34 lakh during a search of Rajput's residence. Vinay Kumar Kantheti, an Additional Commissioner of CGST, is accused of communicating regularly with Rajput via FaceTime calls. The accused have challenged the CBI's petition for custody, arguing that the grounds of arrest were not properly communicated and that the case diary was not maintained as required.

However, the High Court rejected these arguments, noting that the accused signed their arrest memoranda and that their family members and advocates had been informed about the arrests.