Sales tax inspector attempts to extort Rs 15 lakh from GST tribunal judge; two booked

An inspector from the state sales tax department stands accused of threatening and attempting to extort a substantial sum of Rs 15 lakh from a judge associated with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) tribunal in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Police officials are actively investigating this disconcerting incident.
Inspector Rajkumar Diwase, a member of the sales tax department, and his alleged accomplice, Prakash Gaikwad, find themselves at the center of this investigation. Senior Inspector Sanjay Mendhe of the Sadar police station confirmed that a case has been formally registered against the two under section 385 (extortion) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
According to the police account, Ramesh Bhagu Zaid, a 59-year-old judge presiding over the GST tribunal, recently found himself on the receiving end of threatening messages from Inspector Diwase. These messages reportedly contained ominous warnings of exposing Judge Zaid through the assistance of a Right to Information (RTI) activist. Additionally, the messages conveyed threats of physical harm if Zaid did not acquiesce to paying the sum of Rs 15 lakh.
Notably, Judge Zaid had previously held the position of joint commissioner within the state sales tax department. Diwase had allegedly approached him, seeking to prevent a transfer order that had been issued in November of the previous year. When Zaid did not yield to the request, the accused resorted to soliciting financial assistance from him, a request that commenced in the previous month. During this period, Zaid also reported receiving extortionate phone calls from Gaikwad.
Subsequently, a grave revelation unfolded as the complainant, Judge Zaid, became aware of the collaboration between the two accused individuals in their extortion attempt. As the investigation unfolds, the accused have been summoned to the Sadar police station on Saturday, marking a significant development in this ongoing case.