GST Deputy Commissioner Ambika Singh was caught red-handed taking a bribe in Varanasi.
As soon as the vigilance team caught Ambika Singh, she started running away. In an attempt to escape, she even scuffled with 4 female constables.
During this time, a crowd of people gathered around. The female officer kept pleading with the crowd and passersby to save her. After this, the vigilance team dragged Ambika Singh into the jeep and took her to the police station.
Actually, Deputy Commissioner Ambika Singh had demanded a bribe of 50 thousand rupees from a businessman for filing returns and disposing of GST files. She had reached a restaurant near the GST Commissioner’s office to take the bribe amount.
She was caught during this time. The incident is from the Bhelupur police station area at 6:30 PM on Wednesday.
Ajay Kumar Maurya, a resident of Bajardeeha, is a director of ‘Black Smith Industries Private Limited’ company. Ajay had filed his February 2023 return and GST (State) on time.
However, after finding discrepancies in it, the GST office recalled the file. For tax refund and disposal, the GST field officer prepared a report and sent it to Deputy Commissioner Ambika Singh.
Demanded ₹50K bribe for approval
Deputy Commissioner Ambika called Ajay to the office for file disposal and asked questions related to tax. She sought clarification based on the report, then instead of disposing of the file, she talked about rejecting it. When Ajay pleaded to approve it, Ambika Singh demanded a bribe of 50 thousand rupees.
When Ajay refused to pay the bribe, Ambika threatened action. After much struggle, Ajay agreed to pay 50 thousand rupees. However, Ajay went straight from the GST office to vigilance office. There, he narrated the entire matter to the SP.
Arrest made at Dada Restaurant
On Ajay Maurya’s complaint, Varanasi’s Anti-Corruption Team conducted an investigation. The allegations were confirmed in this. After this, preparations were made to take action against Ambika.
On Wednesday at 6:30 PM, Ajay called Ambika Singh to Dada Restaurant to take ₹50K. Ambika Singh took the envelope of notes inside the restaurant and started to leave. Just then, the vigilance team caught her red-handed.
Pleaded to be saved from the crowd
As soon as she was caught red-handed, Ambika tried to flee, but 4 women inspectors caught her. On this, Ambika also scuffled with those women inspectors, but could not escape from their clutches. During this, Ambika pleaded with the crowd gathered around to save her.
The woman officer kept telling passersby that she was being wrongly framed, but no one came to help. The team has registered a case under bribery sections. Now other files approved by Ambika Singh will also be investigated.
Meanwhile, after the arrest, a case has been registered against Ambika Singh at the Vigilance police station in Varanasi. The Vigilance has clarified that action against corruption will continue.
The department has appealed to people that if any public servant demands a bribe in exchange for government work, they should lodge a complaint on the department’s helpline numbers – 9454401866 or 9454401222.
