CT & GST Officer, Two Held for ₹4 Cr Fraud

Bhubaneswar: The State Vigilance Department has arrested Abinash Pradhan, Assistant Commercial Tax Officer (ACTO) of Jeypore, along with two others, Satyaki Pattanaik and Deeptikanta Choudhury, for misappropriating government funds totaling ₹4.03 crore.

Pradhan allegedly abused his official position to refund Value Added Tax (VAT) in favor of Pattanaik and Choudhury, who falsely posed as authorized representatives of M/s G.E Verona T&D Ltd (formerly GE T&D India Ltd). The duo used forged financial instruments, statutory forms, and seals to carry out the fraud.

A criminal case (Vigilance Cell PS Case No.15 dated 10.12.2024) has been registered under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Indian Penal Code, including charges of forgery, impersonation, and criminal conspiracy.

All three individuals were presented before the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar. An investigation into the case is ongoing, official sources confirmed.