Navi Mumbai: In Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, the CBI has arrested Krishna Kumar, a senior Customs officer, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10.2 lakh. Kumar, who served as superintendent at Sahar Air Cargo, was apprehended after evading the CBI for about an hour. He reportedly had established a 'rate card' for clearing goods and, leveraging his connections with the R&I wing of the Customs, had been halting shipments until he received compensation.
After stalling a firm's goods, Kumar sent an anonymous email demanding a bribe to release the shipments, claiming that most of the bribe would be shared with senior officials. Following his arrest, he was placed in CBI custody until 6 August for further investigation into the R&I wing's involvement in the case.
The CBI's investigation stemmed from complaints alleging that Kumar and other unnamed officers were soliciting bribes at a rate of Rs 10 per kilogram of imported goods, despite the legality of the cargo. One firm owner, pressured by Kumar, sought assistance from the CBI after his goods were deliberately withheld despite having all necessary documents.
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The CBI set up a trap, recording conversations between 25 July and 1 August, revealing Kumar's demands for bribes amounting to Rs 6 lakh for previously cleared goods and Rs 10 lakh for current imports. During this time, he stated that he would only retain Rs 20,000 from the bribe, with the remainder destined for his superiors.
On the day of the arrest, Kumar met the complainant outside his colony, accepted the bribe in his vehicle, and attempted to evade capture by speeding through the area. However, he grew suspicious, discarded a bag containing the money near a dustbin, and was subsequently apprehended by CBI officers, leading to a scene of public commotion. The investigation now focuses on Kumar and the involvement of other Customs officials in this bribery scheme.
