2 min readLucknowUpdated: Jan 2, 2026 09:27 AM IST
The CBI spokesperson said that subsequent raids have led to the recovery of approximately Rs 90 lakh in cash, several property documents, and huge Jewellery/bullion. (File Photo)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a deputy commissioner and two superintendents of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi for receiving a bribe of Rs 70 lakh from a businessman to settle tax evasion cases against his firm, officials said on Thursday.
The agency’s Anti-Corruption unit in Lucknow also arrested the businessman, Raju Mangtani, one of the owners of Jai Durga Hardwares in Jhansi, and a tax advocate who had allegedly acted as a mediator in the deal.
The arrested superintendents told the CBI team that Prabha Bhandari, Deputy Commissioner, CGST, Jhansi, had allegedly initiated the bribe demands through them.
Based on a tip-off, the CBI caught red-handed two CGST superintendents — identified as Anil Tiwari and Ajay Kumar Sharma — and Mangtani while they were exchanging a cash bag containing Rs 70 lakh on Tuesday, a spokesperson said.
On interrogation, it was found that the CGST officers had allegedly demanded Rs 1.50 crore from Mangtani, and the Rs 70 lakh given as a bribe was the first instalment.
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted searches of the premises of the CGST officers and the other accused and seized Rs 90 lakh in cash, jewellery, and documents related to movable and immovable assets. The total money seized so far is Rs 1.60 crore, the spokesperson said, adding that the search is continuing.
According to CBI, their team followed Mangtani based on a tip-off that he had allegedly struck a deal with CGST officers to settle GST evasion cases against his firm and others. The tax advocate, Naresh Kumar Gupta, was arrested later.
Story continues below this ad
Prabha Bhandari, who was in Delhi on Tuesday, was directed to reach Jhansi immediately, following which she was arrested on Wednesday.
CBI registered a case against the deputy commissioner, two superintendents, the advocate, owners of private companies, and others on December 30 on the allegation of seeking an undue advantage of Rs 1.5 crore for favouring the private firms in GST evasion matters.
Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution.
Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape.
Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More
