Odisha's CT & GST officer under Vigilance scanner for misappropriation

Bhubaneswar, Aug 17: The Odisha Vigilance launched extensive searches at five locations connected to Binay Bhusan Tripathy, Assistant Commissioner of CT & GST Enforcement Unit in Jajpur on Saturday.

The raids are part of an investigation into allegations that Tripathy embezzled Rs 5.85 lakh in government funds. The Vigilance began its probe following claims that Tripathy had failed to collect taxes and penalties from a scrap goods vehicle.

Initial findings indicate that while Tripathy was serving as Assistant Commissioner, he intercepted a vehicle transporting 22,240 kg of scrap valued at Rs 8,89,600. Tripathy allegedly instructed the vehicle owner to pay Rs 3,20,000 in taxes and demanded an additional Rs 2,50,000 as a bribe to release the vehicle and its cargo. When the bribe was not paid, Tripathy purportedly sold the scrap to another dealer, collected the tax, and misappropriated the remaining Rs 5,85,356.