CHENNAI — The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Chennai has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two Central Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials for allegedly demanding a bribe to process a business registration application.
The Allegations
The case centers on Shri Rinkesh, a Superintendent at the GST Ranipet Range, and Shri Pankaj, an Inspector at the same office. According to the complaint filed by Shri R. Praveen, a resident of Sholinghur, the officials sought illegal gratification in exchange for facilitating the approval of his GST registration.
Mr. Praveen, who intended to start an agricultural inputs business under the name Sri Lakshmi Narasimma Agro Service Centre, first applied for a GST number in January 2026. After his initial application was rejected in early February due to address discrepancies, he submitted a fresh application on February 14, 2026.
A Recorded Demand
The complainant alleged that during a physical verification of his documents on February 23, Superintendent Rinkesh demanded a bribe for “office formalities”. Unwilling to comply, Praveen first approached the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption authorities in Ranipet. Acting on their advice, he met with Rinkesh while carrying an audio recording device.
During this meeting, the Superintendent reportedly scaled down his initial demand of ₹30,000 to ₹20,000, and eventually to ₹15,000, insisting on an immediate payment via digital modes. Because the Central GST falls under federal jurisdiction, the State Vigilance directed the complainant to the CBI. Praveen subsequently approached the CBI on February 26, 2026, providing a pen drive containing the recorded conversation as evidence.
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Legal Action
The FIR, registered on April 7, 2026, notes that despite the registration being officially approved on March 5, the accused official continued to contact the complainant to settle “formalities” through the Inspector.
The CBI has officially booked the duo under:
- Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) for the demand of undue advantage by a public servant.
- Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
The investigation has been entrusted to Shri P. Balaji, Inspector of Police at the CBI ACB Chennai. The registration of the case follows a specific consent decree from the Government of Tamil Nadu, issued on March 13, 2026, allowing the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) to exercise its powers within the state.
