The two former Deputy Commissioners of Customs stationed at UB Centre, JNCH in Mumbai, Maharashtra, have been apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with two distinct investigations.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has initiated two distinct investigations against two former Deputy Commissioners of Customs, along with other individuals including a private person and CHA (Customs House Agent).
The allegations stated that they operated as a syndicate, exploiting the passports of individuals who had resided abroad for more than two years. They allegedly utilized these passports to import different items, falsely claiming that the goods belonged to the passport holders.
It has been accused that the mentioned government officials collaborated with other individuals during their tenure at UB Centre, JNCH in Mumbai and abused the “Transfer of Residence” provision outlined in the Customs Act, 1962.
Furthermore, it has been alleged that the syndicate in question exploited the passports of individuals, particularly those who had resided in Gulf countries for more than two years, to import a variety of goods such as household items, electronics, and unidentified items. They accomplished this by deliberately undervaluing the goods and concealing additional undeclared items alongside the declared ones.
Additionally, it was also alleged that the public servants were involved in the illicit collection of bribes through the involvement of a private individual, who received illegal gratification from various CHAs.
The illegally obtained gratification was then funnelled through different accounts and individuals known to the officers, using both official banking channels and the hawala route.
The accused reportedly employed this method to facilitate the release of consignments brought by the CHAs, with the assistance of Customs Officers. The public servants were allegedly remunerated with unlawful gratification through the intermediary of the private individual.
Raids were carried out at seven different locations, including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Patna, Samastipur (Bihar), and Khargon District (Madhya Pradesh), at the residences of the accused and their associates. These searches resulted in the discovery of several pieces of evidence and items that are potentially linked to the alleged wrongdoing. The investigation is progressing.
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