CBI Arrests Absconding Additional Commissioner, CGST, in ₹40 Lakh Bribery Case

Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Mumbai has apprehended Vinay Kumar Kantheti, a former IRS officer, in a bribery case, according to agency officials on Monday. The CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch registered charges on August 26 based on a complaint from Rakesh Kumar Sinha, a CGST Superintendent in Khandeshwar, Raigad.

Allegedly, Sinha demanded a bribe of Rs. 1.50 crore for settling a GST/royalty dispute involving a stone-quarrying firm. The demand was later reduced to Rs. 40 lakh. The accused allegedly arranged for the collection of the bribe through a private individual and directed the complainant to pay. During a staged operation on August 27, Customs House Agent Narinder Rajput was caught attempting to accept the bribe on behalf of Sinha and Kantheti.

All three suspects were arrested and presented before the Special CBI Court in Thane. However, the court rejected their request for five days of police custody and released them on bail. The CBI then appealed to the Bombay High Court, which allowed the revision on September 16, quashing the Special Court's order and remanding the accused to two days of CBI custody.

Despite the court's directive, Kantheti remained at large and was subsequently apprehended in Rishikesh.