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Key Points

A senior tax official in Bhubaneswar has been caught red-handed accepting a bribe from a local businessman. Sarita Barik, Assistant Commissioner of State Tax, was arrested after demanding Rs 25,000 to waive tax penalties for a bakery firm. Vigilance officials not only caught her during the bribe transaction but also discovered significant undeclared assets during subsequent searches. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption in government departments.

Key Points: Odisha Vigilance Nabs Tax Official Sarita Barik in Bribe Scandal

  • Sarita Barik demanded bribe to waive tax penalties for bakery business
  • Vigilance trapped and arrested her while accepting Rs 25,000
  • Searches revealed Rs 1.45 lakh cash and 222 grams of gold
  • Official sent to judicial custody after court presentation
2 min read

Odisha Vigilance arrests govt official for receiving bribe from businessman

Bhubaneswar tax official Sarita Barik arrested for demanding Rs 25,000 bribe from businessman, vigilance uncovers substantial assets

"The entire bribe money was recovered and seized from the possession of Barik in presence of witnesses. - Odisha Vigilance Report"

Bhubaneswar, Aug 27

The Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday arrested a government official for allegedly receiving bribe money from a businessman for reversal of ITC (Input Tax credit) for the tax period of Financial Year of 2020-21 as well as the exemption of fine and penalty.

The accused was identified as Sarita Barik, currently posted as the Assistant Commissioner of State Tax, Bhubaneswar-IV Circle.

The anti-corruption wing of the Odisha government noted that the businessman who owns a bakery shop at Ghatikia area in Bhubaneswar was served a show cause notice by Barik in November 2024 for the payment of fine and tax of Rs 2,27,147 towards reversal of ITC for FY 2020-21.

On receipt of the notice, the food firm's owner approached accused Barik and requested for consideration.

Subsequently, Barik asked him to pay a bribe of Rs 25,000 for exemption of fine and penalty for the above period.

The businessman, finding no other way, finally approached the vigilance officials informing them about the demand of bribe by Barik.

Acting on the complaint, the Vigilance Officers laid a trap and nabbed Barik while taking a bribe of Rs 25,000 from the businessman inside her car in front of Aakash Institute, Madhusudan Nagar, Bhubaneswar on Tuesday evening.

The entire bribe money was recovered and seized from the possession of Barik in presence of witnesses.

Soon after the trap, simultaneous house searches were launched on the rented residential house of Barik at Plot No.50, Unit-IV, Madhusudan Nagar, Bhubaneswar, house at native village Budhikhamari, Baripada town in Mayurbhanj district and her office chamber in Bhubaneswar.

The Vigilance sleuths during searches at her rental accommodation here recovered cash of Rs 1.45 lakh, gold ornaments weighing 222 grams, deposits around Rs 60 lakh, jewellery bills and documents related to purchase of property in Bhubaneswar.

On Wednesday, she was arrested by the Vigilance officials who later presented her before the court here that sent her to judicial custody.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a small business owner myself, I know how terrifying these demands can be. Good that the businessman had the courage to approach vigilance. We need more such traps to clean the system.
A
Aman W
Rs 25,000 bribe demand for Rs 2.27 lakh tax matter? This is daylight robbery! And they caught her red-handed in her car. Shameful behavior from a government officer. 😠
S
Sarah B
While I appreciate the vigilance action, I hope this isn't just one-off show. There are many such officers exploiting small businesses. Need systematic reforms in tax administration.
V
Vikram M
Gold ornaments worth 222 grams and property documents? On a government salary? This shows the depth of corruption. Hope they investigate all her past cases too.
N
Nikhil C
Good work by Odisha Vigilance! But we need to also appreciate the businessman who risked reporting instead of paying silently. More people should come forward like this.

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