In a development which can have a remarkable implications on the government’s newly introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested 9 people including the Commissioner of GST, Kanpur with 3 other Supritendent of GST, Kanpur and 5 other accused.

According to CBI, these GST officers were allegedly taking bribe from firms as a “protection money for omission of action by the department”. The bribe was transferred systematically through hawala channels which was periodically (monthly or quarterly) paid to the officers.

India Today has accessed the copy of CBI’s FIR according to which, Sansar Chand, an IRS officer of 1986 batch, who has currently the commissioner of GST and Central Excise, Kanpur was leading a systematic and organised collection of illegal gratification in lieu with various official acts in connection to matters pertaining to his jurisdiction.

“Sansar Chand was in habit of taking periodic updates from his Superitendents Ajay Srivastava, Aman Shah and RS Chandel in regards to illegal gratification from various private parties,” reads the FIR.

The investigative agency has also identified the companies M/s Shishu Soap and Chemicals Private Limited, SIR Pan Masala and M/s Rimjhim Ispat Limited who paid illegal gratification to the GST officers.

The CBI has lodged an FIR under section 120 (b) of Indian Penal Code and section 7, 11, 12 of PC Act and arrested 5 GST officers including the commissioner and 3 Suprintendent, and 4 other private person.

Raids at various places in Kanpur is being conducted by several teams of CBI in connection with the case till the time this article was published.