The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation in Mumbai has cracked down on a major bribery syndicate operating within tax administration channels. Agency officials apprehended absconding CGST Additional Commissioner Vinay Kumar Kantheti from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. The 2009-batch Indian Revenue Service officer had been on the run ever since the Bombay High Court approved his custody in a high-profile corruption probe. The entire investigation centers on an initial illicit demand of 1.5 crore rupees from an enterprise, which was eventually settled at 40 lakh rupees to clear regulatory issues. The arrest of the senior officer has sent shockwaves through the tax department.
Origin of the Anti-Corruption Probe
The legal action commenced following a direct complaint regarding corrupt demands made by the Superintendent and Additional Commissioner stationed at CGST Khandeshwar in Raigad. Upon evaluating the complaint, the investigating agency registered a formal case under corruption charges on August 26, 2026. The officials had allegedly demanded a massive payoff to settle pending issues relating to a commercial firm. With evidence pointing to systemic misconduct, agency investigators formulated an undercover trap operation to catch the facilitators in the act.
Intercepting the 40 Lakh Rupee Cash Payoff
Acting on actionable intelligence, the agency deployed an operational team on August 27, 2026, to execute the trap. Customs House Agent Narinder Rajput was caught red-handed while accepting 40 lakh rupees in cash. The ensuing inquiry revealed that this financial settlement was collected on behalf of CGST Superintendent Rakesh Kumar Sinha and Additional Commissioner Vinay Kumar Kantheti. Moving decisively, the investigating agency took all three individuals, including the private broker and the department superintendent, into custody.
Legal Journey from Thane Special Court to Bombay High Court
Following their apprehension, the suspects were produced before the Special Court in Thane. Investigating officers sought five days of custody to interrogate the accused and uncover the full extent of the extortion ring. However, the special court on August 28, 2026, dismissed the police remand application, deemed the arrests unlawful, and granted bail to all accused persons.
Disputing the lower court's ruling, the agency promptly approached the Bombay High Court through a revision petition. On September 16, 2026, the high court reversed the special court's decision, issuing an order remanding the accused to two days of agency custody for thorough examination.
Defiance of Court Orders and Capture in Rishikesh
Pursuant to the high court directive, investigators took Superintendent Rakesh Kumar Sinha and the intermediary into custody for questioning. Upon completion of that period, the court committed both individuals to 14 days of judicial custody in jail. In contrast, Additional Commissioner Vinay Kumar Kantheti defied the judicial mandate and evaded arrest by absconding.
A dedicated team from Mumbai mobilized technical surveillance assets and ground intelligence to trace the movements of the missing officer. Investigators pinpointed his hideout in the town of Rishikesh, where a targeted raid was executed to bring him into custody.
