Bhubaneswar: A day after apprehending Assistant Commissioner of Sales Tax Sarita Barik for allegedly taking Rs 25,000 bribe from a bakery shop owner, Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday said it has arrested the OFS-I officer.
In a statement, Vigilance said the Asst Commissioner of State Tax, Bhubaneswar-IV Circle was placed under arrest and forwarded to the Court of the Special Judge in Bhubaneswar.
In this connection, Bhubaneswar Vigilance PS Case No.18 dated Aughst 26, 2025 U/s 7 Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 was registered against Barik.
Cash to the tune of Rs1.45 lakh, 222 grams of gold, deposits of around Rs 60 lakh, jewellery bills and documents related to purchase of property in Bhubaneswar were recovered during searches carried out so far at her rented residence.
Notably, Vigilance sleuths on Tuesday night apprehended Sarita Barik while allegedly taking bribe of Rs 25,000 from a bakery shop owner.
The accused, an OFS-I officer, had allegedly demanded bribe from the complainant for reversal of ITC (Input Tax credit) for the tax period of 2020-21 and exemption of fine and penalty, a Vigilance release said.
The food products firm owned by the complainant was issued a show cause notice by Barik for payment of fine and tax of Rs 2,27,147/- towards reversal of Input Tax Credit (ITC) for FY 2020-21. On coming to know of this when he approached Barik and requested consideration, the Asst Commissioner demanded bribe Rs 25,000/- for exemption of fine and penalty for the period.
On this, the complainant approached the Vigilance authorities narrating the incident. Following this, the Vigilance Officers nabbed the Asst Commissioner while taking bribe of Rs 25,000/- from the complainant inside her car in Madhusudan Nagar area of Bhubaneswar. The entire bribe money has been recovered and seized from possession of Barik.
Soon after the trap, simultaneous searches were launched on the rented residential house of Barik at Plot No.50, Unit-IV, Madhusudan Nagar, Bhubaneswar, house at native village Budhikhamari, Baripada town and her office chamber.
During searches the following movable & immovable assets were recovered from her rented residential house at Plot No.50, Unit-IV, Madhusudan Nagar, Bhubaneswar. Details as below:
1) Cash of Rs.1.45 Lakhs.
2) Gold ornaments weighing 222 gms.
3) Deposits around Rs.60 Lakhs.
4) Jewelry bills and documents related to purchase of property in Bhubaneswar.
Investigation of the case is in progress.