Bengaluru GST Officer Mohit Pratap Singh Held Over Rs.8 Lakh Bribe
A Central GST Superintendent was allegedly caught accepting an ₹8 lakh bribe during a trap operation conducted by Bengaluru City Lokayukta officials, with the alleged transaction recorded on camera, according to reports citing the anti-corruption agency.
The officer has been identified as Mohit Pratap Singh, Superintendent, Central GST, South Division-4, South Commissionerate. A private individual identified as Salman Sheikh was also arrested for allegedly acting as an intermediary in the transaction.
The arrests followed a complaint from businessman Syed Zameer, who approached the Lokayukta alleging that Singh had sought money in connection with a pending Central GST matter and a complaint that Zameer claimed was false.
Lokayukta lays trap at Kendriya Sadan
According to the Lokayukta account reported by multiple outlets, officials arranged a trap after receiving the complaint. The alleged exchange took place inside Singh’s chamber at Kendriya Sadan in Koramangala, Bengaluru.
Investigators said Sheikh allegedly acted as the intermediary. The businessman was instructed to hand over the money, after which Lokayukta officials intervened and arrested the two men.
The Times of India reported that Singh had allegedly initially demanded ₹20 lakh from the businessman to close a case related to alleged tax evasion, with the amount subsequently agreed at ₹8 lakh. This detail comes from the Lokayukta’s account of the case and remains an allegation under investigation.
NDTV’s report, meanwhile, says the complaint alleged an ₹8 lakh demand to close what the complainant described as a false complaint connected to pending Central GST dues.
Officer and alleged intermediary arrested
Singh and Sheikh were arrested following the trap operation. Reports citing Lokayukta officials said the two were subsequently sent to judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison.
A case has been registered under Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, according to NDTV and other reports citing the Lokayukta.
Section 7A deals with a public servant accepting or attempting to obtain an undue advantage through corrupt or illegal means, including through an intermediary. The registration of a case and arrests do not by themselves establish guilt; the allegations will be subject to the legal process.
What the Lokayukta alleges
The anti-corruption agency’s account is that the businessman had been facing a Central GST-related matter and approached Singh for a resolution. The businessman allegedly told the Lokayukta that the complaint against him was false.
According to the version reported by the Times of India, Singh allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh and later agreed to accept ₹8 lakh. The money was allegedly routed through Sheikh, who was waiting near the officer’s chamber.
The Hindu’s report, as reproduced in search results, described the allegation more simply as an ₹8 lakh demand to close a complaint connected with a pending Central GST matter. It identified Singh as a Superintendent in South Division-4, South Commissionerate, and Sheikh as the alleged intermediary.
The differences in how the initial demand has been described appear to reflect different accounts of the same investigation. What is consistent across the reports is that Lokayukta officials allege an ₹8 lakh payment was accepted during the trap and that Singh and Sheikh were arrested.
Investigation continues
The Lokayukta has said the investigation is continuing. Authorities are expected to examine the alleged bribe demand, the role of the intermediary and the circumstances surrounding the GST-related complaint.
The alleged transaction being captured during a trap operation could form part of the evidence examined by investigators, although the precise evidentiary value of any recording will ultimately depend on the investigation and legal proceedings.
No finding of guilt has been made against Singh or Sheikh at this stage. The allegations remain subject to investigation and due process.
The case was reported on September 17, while NDTV and other outlets published further details on September 18.
