The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an investigation against two officials of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, including a deputy commissioner rank official and a guard on the allegation that the officials of the said department are taking illegal gratifications from customs house agents (CHAs) and other related parties, for facilitating the issuance of veterinary certificates.
According to the CBI sources, on the basis of source information about alleged corruption, a joint surprise check (JSC) was conducted on 16-17.07.2025 in the office of animal quarantine and certification service (AQCS), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Joint Surprise Check Uncovers UPI Transactions
"During the JSC, UPI credit entries from different representatives of companies and firms were noticed in the bank account of one guard of the department, in which he stated that he received said amounts as illegal gratification, for facilitating their work. He also disclosed that the amount received through GPAY by him, was later on withdrawn in cash. Further he used to give 50% of this illegal gratification amount in cash to the deputy commissioner and the remaining of the amount was distributed amongst the other staff members of the department," said a CBI official.
WhatsApp Chats and Payment Trails Lead to External Parties
"Based on the scrutiny of the WhatsApp chats of the guard's mobile phone, the names of various companies, whose documents were found to have been shared by him with outside persons were identified. Also the mobile numbers of CHA’s and representatives of various firms were identified. On the basis of the information collected from the mobile phone of the guard, relevant files of the parties figuring in the mobile phone of guard were also taken into possession. Prima facie, from the scrutiny of the GPAY account of the guard, it is seen that various CHAs and private parties have been making payments to him, for facilitation of issuance of veterinary certificates. The mobile phone of the guard has also been taken into possession for further probe," the official added.
CBI Continues to Track Money Flow and Internal Collusion
A case has been registered by the CBI on charges of criminal conspiracy, bribing of public servant, taking undue advantage to influence public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by exercising personal influence, paying bribe to public servant, bribing a public servant by a commercial organization, obtaining undue advantage without consideration by public servant and abetment.
