Jhansi/New Delhi: In a significant anti-corruption breakthrough, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a senior tax official — a Deputy Commissioner of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) — along with four others for allegedly accepting a ₹70 lakh bribe in a high-profile corruption case tied to GST evasion matters in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
Background of CGST Deputy Commissioner Bribery Case
According to official accounts, the CBI launched a well-planned trap operation on 30 December 2025 based on credible intelligence that a bribery syndicate was in operation within the CGST office in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The scam involved a demand for an undue advantage of ₹1.5 crore from private firms allegedly under scrutiny for GST evasion.
Read also: IRS Officer Aditya Saurabh, Two Others Arrested by CBI in Rs 2 Lakh Bribery Case in Patna
The central probe agency laid a detailed trap and intercepted two CGST superintendents — Anil Tiwari and Ajay Kumar Sharma — as they were receiving ₹70 lakh in cash, on behalf of the CGST Deputy Commissioner. The officers were reportedly caught red-handed during the exchange of currency bundles.
CGST Deputy Commissioner Bribery Case: Five Accused Including Senior IRS Officer Arrested
The CBI’s action extended beyond the initial trap. Following the operation, officials also arrested:
- Prabha Bhandari – Deputy Commissioner, Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) (IRS-C&IT), 2016 batch, posted at CGST Jhansi.
- Anil Tiwari – Superintendent, CGST Jhansi.
- Ajay Kumar Sharma – Superintendent, CGST Jhansi.
- Naresh Kumar Gupta – Advocate associated with the alleged scheme.
- Raju Mangtani – Owner of M/s Jai Durga Hardware and co-accused in the bribery case.
These individuals are accused of conspiring to extract illicit payments to influence GST evasion cases and provide favorable outcomes to certain private entities.
All accused are expected to be produced before a competent court after undergoing standard health and procedural examinations.
CGST Deputy Commissioner Bribery Case: Seizure of Cash, Documents, Jewellery and Bullion
In follow-up searches conducted at locations linked to the accused, investigators seized a total of approximately ₹1.60 crore in cash, along with:
- Approximately ₹1.60 crore in cash (including the ₹70 lakh taken as bribe and further recoveries).
- Various property documents believed to be linked to illicit transactions.
- Significant quantities of gold jewellery and bullion discovered during searches.
The dramatic recoveries signal that the alleged bribery racket could involve deeper financial networks and substantial unaccounted assets.
Who Is IRS Prabha Bhandari
Prabha Bhandari is an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) from the 2016 batch. She belongs to the IRS (C&IT) cadre, which handles indirect taxation, customs, GST administration, and enforcement. Over the years, she has served in various field and administrative roles within the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) formations. Prior to the recent developments, she was posted as Deputy Commissioner, CGST, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh).
Her responsibilities included GST assessment, anti-evasion work, and supervisory control over subordinate officers. As a mid-career IRS officer, she was involved in implementing GST laws and revenue administration at the divisional level.
