Former Tax Officer Sentenced for Bribery in Ahmedabad
- Former Nadiad Service Tax Superintendent sentenced to 5 years rigorous imprisonment and ₹30,000 fine in bribery case in Ahmedabad.
- Accused demanded illegal gratification for granting Registration Certificate to a partnership firm.
- The accused agreed to accept illegal gratification from the complainant after negotiation.
In a significant ruling, the Special Judge for CBI Cases in Ahmedabad has sentenced Hashmukh Chhaganbhai Rathod, a former Superintendent of Service Tax, to five years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in a bribery case. The court also imposed a fine of Rs. 30,000 on Rathod, who was found guilty of demanding illegal gratification in exchange for a service tax registration certificate. The case against Rathod was initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on April 24, 2014, following allegations that he solicited a bribe of Rs. 2,500 from a partnership firm seeking a Registration Certificate (Service Tax Code) (ST-2). After negotiations, Rathod agreed to accept a reduced bribe of Rs. 2,000. On April 25, 2014, the CBI conducted a sting operation, during which Rathod was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe from the complainant. Following his arrest, the CBI completed its investigation and filed a charge sheet on August 22, 2014, detailing the accusations of demanding and accepting illegal gratification, as well as criminal misconduct. After a thorough trial, the court found Rathod guilty of the charges, leading to the sentencing. This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption within government services and reinforces the legal consequences for public officials engaging in bribery.