Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday apprehended Sarita Barik, Assistant Commissioner of State Tax, Bhubaneswar-IV Circle, while allegedly taking bribe of Rs 25,000 from a bakery shop owner.
The accused, an OFS-I officer, 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.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches are going on at three locations linked to Barik from DA (Disproportionate Assets) angle.
In this connection, a case has been registered and investigation is in progress.