Directorate of Information & Publicity 
DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY
GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI
PRESS RELEASE
Dated : 08/5/2016
- Department of Trade and Taxes catches VAT Inspector accepting illegal gratification
- Strengthening of internal vigilance network of the Department helped in identifying and catching the accused
- Entire process of recovery of Rs 5,000 received as illegal gratification video graphed to build a water tight case
- Anti corruption branch requested to an FIR and prosecute the accused
- Proceedings to dismiss the officer from service initiated.
A team of senior officers of the Department of Trade and Taxes on Friday, 6th May, 2016 caught a VAT inspector posted in Ward 93 for accepting illegal gratification. The officer had demanded Rs 5,000 as bribe for reverification of the business premises of the dealer whose registration request he had rejected earlier. Despite repeated requests, the officer was not paying any heed to the dealer without meeting his demand for illegal gratification. The dealer approached the Commissioner VAT with the complaint. He was asked to give his complaint in writing. The complainant was also asked to mention the serial numbers and denomination of the bank notes which he gave to the VAT Inspector posted in Ward 93.
On receipt of the written complaint, a team of senior officers was constituted. The team visited the office of Ward 93 alongwith the complainant and recovered the money paid as illegal gratification. The details of the currency notes recovered from the officer were compared with the details of the currency notes given in the complaint and were found to be matching. Videography of the entire process of recovery of bribe money was also done to build a full proof case
The department has filed a complaint with the Anti Corruption Branch giving full details of the incident, the video clip of recovery of bribe money and other documents to lodge an FIR against the officer immediately and to investigate the matter further and thereafter prosecute the accused under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and other relevant laws. The Department encourages the people of Delhi to come forward if there is demand of any illegal gratification by any employee and get him caught red handed. Such exemplary action will be a lesson to other employees thinking of indulging in such grave malpractices.
The Department of Trade and Taxes has taken a very serious view of this incident and has initiated proceedings to dismiss from service the VAT inspector who accepted the illegal gratification. The Department has stepped up its internal vigilance and is keeping a very close watch on all the employees. Any such instance and complaints of such nature shall be taken very seriously and strictest possible action including registration and criminal case and dismissal from service will be taken against the officers. No one found indulging in such malpractices shall be spared.
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