The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Superintendent of CGST and Central Excise, Raigad Commissionerate, and a CGST consultant in connection with an alleged ₹1 crore bribery demand linked to a redevelopment project in Sector 17, New Panvel, Maharashtra.
The accused have been identified as Pankaj Kumar, alias Pankaj Rajput, Superintendent of the Land and Building Section in the Office of the Commissioner of CGST and Central Excise, Raigad, and CGST consultant Prasad Kumar Swami.
According to reports, the CBI registered the case on 9 September 2026 following a complaint from the project head of a private real-estate company engaged in redeveloping two buildings containing 24 flats owned by the CGST and Central Excise Raigad Commissionerate.
The Superintendent allegedly demanded ₹1 crore for issuing a no-objection certificate and handing over the department-owned flats for redevelopment. The alleged demand reportedly comprised ₹10 lakh in immediate cash, ₹20 lakh towards the down payment of a flat being purchased by the officer and ₹70 lakh to be paid later, purportedly for other officials.
The CBI laid a trap on 10 September after the complainant was allegedly directed to hand over ₹10 lakh to the consultant. Both accused were arrested and produced before the competent court on 11 September, which reportedly granted the CBI two days’ police custody.