In a significant development, the Bengaluru Police have arrested four officials from the Director General of GST Intelligence, Bengaluru Zonal Unit. The arrests, which occurred on September 10, involve a Superintendent of Central Tax and three Intelligence Officers, all from the GST Intelligence unit.
The detained officials include a Superintendent from the South Commissionerate, Bengaluru Zone, and two Senior Intelligence Officers along with one Intelligence Officer, all affiliated with the GST Intelligence, Bengaluru Zone. During the arrests, the police also seized various articles from the accused.
Also Read: Petition Filed Against PM Modi’s Election As Varanasi MP
The case was initiated following a complaint lodged by Keshav Tak, an employee of a private company located on JB Nagar Main Road. According to Tak’s statement, on August 30, individuals posing as GST and Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers forcibly entered his residence, seized mobile phones, and abducted him along with three others.
Tak alleged that one of the suspects, identified as ‘Manoj,’ coerced him into contacting his friend Roshan Jain via WhatsApp to arrange a sum of Rs 3 crore. The accused then took Tak to various locations before returning him to his workplace.
On August 31, the accused took Tak and the others to various locations and allegedly assaulted them when Roshan Jain did not provide the requested money on time. The accused later reduced their demand to Rs 1.5 crore, which they collected on September 1.
The complainant reported that the accused had threatened them, claiming to be GST and ED officers, and had taken money and other valuables. The complainant reported the case to the Byappanahalli police station, which later transferred it to the Central Crime Branch (CCB) due to its gravity.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda confirmed that the court has now presented the accused officers, who are currently in police custody. He emphasized that the sensitivity of the case warranted its transfer to the CCB for further investigation.