Location: Nashik
In Nashik city of Maharashtra, yet another example of deep-rooted corruption has come to light. Just a few days ago, two senior GST officers and a middleman were caught red-handed by the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). They allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹1.25 crore from a businessman in exchange for closing a GST investigation. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to ₹1 crore, and they walked into a trap while collecting the first instalment of ₹20 lakh in cash.
This incident is not just another scandal; it exposes how rampant corruption still is within the tax department.
How the Bribery Demand Started
The episode began a few weeks ago. GST officers conducted a raid at a businessman’s office in the Damodar Chowk area of Nashik. During the investigation, they claimed to have found certain irregularities. Soon after, the demand for bribe money started.
Deputy Commissioner Somnath Dattu Page (47) and Assistant Commissioner Machindra Vitthal Donde (55), both posted at the State Tax (GST) office in the Nashik Division, allegedly demanded ₹1.25 crore from the complainant businessman.
They reportedly told him that if he paid the money, the investigation would be settled and no strict action would be taken against him.
At first, the businessman stayed silent, but eventually, unable to tolerate the pressure any longer, he lodged a complaint at the Worli office of Mumbai ACB.
ACB Sets the Trap
The ACB launched an investigation. On 4 March, in the presence of five panch witnesses, officials verified that the officers were indeed demanding a bribe. After further discussions, the bribe amount was brought down to ₹1 crore, and the first instalment of ₹20 lakh in cash was fixed.
The businessman pretended to agree and informed the ACB.
On 6 March, a trap was laid at the GST office in the Pathardi Phata area. Middleman Amit Hiramani Yadav (36) came to collect the ₹20 lakh on behalf of the officers. The moment he took the money, the ACB team swooped in. Yadav was arrested on the spot, followed by the arrest of the two officers.
During the search, the ACB recovered an additional ₹2 lakh from Page’s office. Mobile phones were also seized.
Case Under Prevention of Corruption Act
Cases have been registered against all three under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court has sent the accused to police custody, and they are being interrogated over several days.
The ACB has stated that more people may be involved in this case and that the investigation is ongoing.
This incident has created a stir in business circles. Many are asking: if such corruption exists in an important department like GST, where will ordinary business owners go for justice?
On one side there is pressure to pay taxes, and on the other side, the demand for bribes – it feels like a double burden. Businessmen often feel helpless in such situations.
This scandal has once again raised questions about how effective the government’s so-called ‘zero tolerance’ policy against corruption really is.
At the same time, many are praising the successful operation by the ACB, saying it proves that if a complaint is lodged, action can be taken.
