CBI traces absconding IRS officer in Rs 40 lakh bribe case, takes him into custody
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken into custody an absconding Additional Commissioner of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) department in connection with a bribery case involving an alleged demand of Rs 1.50 crore, which was later reduced to Rs 40 lakh.
The accused, Vinay Kumar Kanheti, an IRS officer of the 2009 batch and Additional Commissioner, CGST, Raigad, was traced to Rishikesh and taken into custody by the CBI, according to the agency.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryCBI REGISTERED CASE IN AUGUSTThe CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Mumbai registered a case on August 26 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The case was registered on the basis of a complaint alleging that Rakesh Kumar Sinha, Superintendent, CGST, Khandeshwar, Raigad, had demanded illegal gratification in connection with proceedings involving the complainant’s firm.
According to the CBI, the initial demand was for Rs 1.50 crore and was subsequently reduced to Rs 40 lakh.
The agency laid a trap on August 27. During the operation, a private person and Customs House Agent, Narinder Rajput, was apprehended while accepting Rs 40 lakh on behalf of Sinha and Kanheti, the CBI said.SPECIAL COURT RELEASES THREE ACCUSED
Following the trap, the CBI arrested Sinha, Rajput and Kanheti and produced them before the Special CBI Court in Thane.
The agency sought five days of police custody for custodial interrogation. However, in an order dated August 28, the Special Court rejected the request, held the arrests illegal and released the accused on bail.
The CBI subsequently challenged the order before the Bombay High Court through a Criminal Revision Application.BOMBAY HIGH COURT ORDERS CBI CUSTODY
On September 16, the Bombay High Court allowed the CBI’s revision plea and set aside the Special Court's order. The High Court remanded the accused persons to two days of CBI custody.
According to the CBI, the High Court examined the case records and found that the grounds of arrest had been communicated to the accused in writing. The court also found that the relevant family members and advocates had been informed.
Following the High Court order, Sinha and Rajput were taken into CBI custody for two days. They were subsequently sent to 14 days of judicial custody by the court.ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER TRACED IN RISHIKESH
However, Kanheti did not comply with the High Court's order and remained unavailable to the investigating agency, according to the CBI.
The agency subsequently traced the Additional Commissioner to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and took him into custody.
The CBI is continuing its investigation into the bribery case and the roles of the accused persons in the alleged demand and acceptance of Rs 40 lakh.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 20:46 IST
