BHUBANESWAR: The Vigilance on Tuesday arrested a state tax officer after catching her red-handed while allegedly accepting bribe of Rs 25,000 from a bakery shop owner towards reversal of the input tax credit (ICT) for the tax period of FY 2020-21 and exemption of fine and penalty.
The accused, Sarita Barik, was an OFS-I officer, serving as the assistant commissioner of state tax in Bhubaneswar-IV circle. Vigilance sources said the shop owner was issued show cause notice by Barik for payment of fine and tax of Rs 2,27,147 towards ITC for FY 2020-21.
As the complainant approached her and requested for consideration, she allegedly demanded Rs 25,000 bribe for exemption of fine and penalty. Later, basing on his complaint, the Vigilance laid a trap and arrested Barik while she was accepting the bribe.
The entire bribe money was seized from her. Simultaneous raids were launched at three locations linked to Barik.