Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed that three accused in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) corruption case involving Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) officials be remanded to two days of CBI custody for questioning.
The CBI’s anti-corruption Branch in Mumbai had registered a case on August 26, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, on the basis of a complaint.
The complaint alleged that Rakesh Kumar Sinha, CGST Superintendent of Khandeshwar in Raigad, had demanded illegal gratification in connection with proceedings relating to the complainant’s firm, CBI officials said.
The initial demand of Rs 1.5 crore was later reduced to Rs 40 lakh.
On August 27, the CBI laid a trap during which Narinder Rajput, a private person and Customs House Agent, was apprehended while allegedly accepting Rs 40 lakh on behalf of Rakesh Kumar Sinha and Vinay Kumar Kantheti, IRS (2009 batch) and CGST Additional Commissioner, the CBI officials said.
The three accused — Rakesh Kumar Sinha, Narinder Rajput and Vinay Kumar Kantheti — were arrested and produced before the Special CBI Court in Thane.
The CBI sought five days’ police custody for custodial interrogation.
However, by an order dated August 28, the Special Court rejected the request, held the arrests illegal and released the accused on bail.
The CBI challenged the Special Court’s order before the Bombay High Court in Criminal Revision Application of 2026.
On September 16, the High Court allowed the CBI’s revision petition, quashed and set aside the Special Court’s order, and remanded the accused to two days’ CBI custody.
The High Court examined the record and found that the grounds of arrest had been duly communicated and that the relevant family members and advocates had been informed.
Following the High Court order, Rakesh Kumar Sinha and Narinder Rajput have been taken into CBI custody for custodial interrogation.
Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend Vinay Kumar Kantheti, CGST Additional Commissioner in accordance with law.
The investigation into the alleged demand and acceptance of bribe in connection with CGST proceedings is continuing.
–IANS
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