Senior VAT officer is suspended over bribe

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday suspended a senior VAT officer for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 20 lakh from a trader.

According to a senior Delhi government official, the action was taken after Mr Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, received a corruption complaint against the officer.

“The accused officer was posted in a special zone of trade and taxes department. He was demanding Rs 20 lakh from a trader after he carried out a raid at his office and found some financial irregularities and seized some documents,” the officer said.

The trader approached the government and filed a complaint against the officer, following which Mr Sisodia issued an order for his suspension.