Not The Magnitude But The Intent: Mumbai Taxman Jailed For Two Years After Taking Rs 800 Bribe, Fined Rs 12,000

In a recent turn of events for a senior tax assistant in Mumbai, a bribe of Rs 800 in 2013 has landed him with a prison sentence of two years and a fine of Rs 12,000, reports TOI. Santoshkumar Sharma had taken the bribe for clearing an income tax refund application.

Concluding a five-year trial, CBI judge MG Deshpande handed down the sentence under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The judge stated that the bribe amount had no correlation with the quantum of punishment.

Prior to his sentence, Sharma was suspended by the Income Tax department but had managed to secure bail from police custody.

The entire episode began when Sharma asked for a Rs 1,000 bribe to release the TDS refund for a Nalasopara resident’s pay. The former did not have the money with him so he next approached Sharma’s superior a few days later, who promised help but did not do anything.

The complainant then filed a complaint before the CBI, which took evidence by sending him back to the corrupt official, who was secretly recorded asking and accepting Rs 800 rupees as a bribe. Subsequently, the accused was arrested by authorities.