Gujarat ACB arrests CGST officer, consultant in ₹20 lakh bribe trap in Rajkot
Synopsis
Gujarat's ACB caught a CGST superintendent and a tax consultant red-handed accepting a ₹20 lakh bribe in Rajkot — the latest in a string of trap operations exposing corruption in tax administration. The bust follows similar ACB actions against CGST officials in Nadiad and Rajkot earlier this year.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat ACB arrested CGST Superintendent Mukesh Kumar , 43, and tax consultant Akash Kaloliya , 33, on 28 April 2025 in Rajkot.
The duo allegedly accepted a ₹20 lakh bribe; the superintendent had initially demanded ₹25 lakh .
The full ₹20 lakh was recovered during the trap operation at Creative Complex near the ST bus station.
The complainant faced CGST proceedings over alleged GST non-payment and false invoices.
Earlier this month, ACB arrested two CGST officials in Nadiad for demanding ₹55 lakh to release a seized vehicle.
In February 2025 , a CGST officer in Rajkot was caught accepting a ₹5,000 bribe for a favourable inspection report.
A trap operation by the Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajkot on 28 April 2025 led to the arrest of a Central GST (CGST) superintendent and a tax consultant for allegedly accepting a ₹20 lakh bribe, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The full bribe amount was recovered during the operation.
Who Was Arrested
Mukesh Kumar, 43, a superintendent posted with CGST Division-1, Range-5 in Rajkot, and Akash Kaloliya, 33, a tax consultant, were caught red-handed at Creative Complex, located near the city's ST bus station. Both accused were taken into custody following the planned sting, and a case has been formally registered against them.
How the Bribery Case Unfolded
The case originated after a citizen filed a complaint with the ACB. The complainant was facing pending CGST proceedings over alleged non-payment of GST and issuance of false invoices. According to investigators, Mukesh Kumar initially demanded ₹25 lakh to settle the matter and prevent a major case from being initiated against the complainant.
The demand was subsequently negotiated down to ₹20 lakh, to be routed through the tax consultant. Unwilling to pay, the complainant approached the ACB, which then laid a trap. During the operation, Kaloliya, acting on behalf of the superintendent, allegedly contacted the complainant, engaged in what officials described as a
Point of View
And whether that data shows anomalies worth investigating.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Gujarat ACB CGST bribery case in Rajkot?
CGST Superintendent Mukesh Kumar, 43, posted with CGST Division-1, Range-5 in Rajkot, and tax consultant Akash Kaloliya, 33, were arrested on 28 April 2025. Both were caught red-handed during an ACB trap operation at Creative Complex near the ST bus station.
What was the bribe amount in the Rajkot CGST case?
The bribe amount was ₹20 lakh, negotiated down from an initial demand of ₹25 lakh. The full ₹20 lakh was recovered during the trap operation.
Why was the bribe demanded in this CGST case?
According to the ACB, the CGST superintendent allegedly demanded the bribe to settle pending proceedings against the complainant, who faced allegations of GST non-payment and issuance of false invoices. The payment was intended to prevent a major case from being initiated.
Has the Gujarat ACB taken similar action against CGST officials before?
Yes. Earlier in April 2025, the ACB arrested two CGST officials in Nadiad for allegedly demanding ₹55 lakh to release a seized transport vehicle, catching them while accepting ₹10 lakh. In February 2025, a CGST officer in Rajkot was caught accepting a ₹5,000 bribe for a favourable inspection report.
How can citizens report bribery to the Gujarat ACB?
The ACB has urged citizens to report bribery instances directly, assuring that complaints are handled confidentially and acted upon promptly. Trap operations are conducted only after complaints are received and allegations are verified.
