Senior Customs Official Arrested in Mumbai for Bribery

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended a Superintendent of Customs, stationed at the Air Cargo Complex in Sahar, Mumbai, on charges of demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,20,000. The official allegedly sought a bribe from a Customs House Agent (CHA) firm to facilitate the clearance of several consignments.

The CBI launched an investigation after receiving a complaint alleging that the accused public servant was demanding bribes at a rate of ₹10 per kilogram of imported cargo. The official reportedly claimed the money was for himself and his senior officers, promising smooth and timely clearance of consignments in return.

According to the complaint, when the firm initially refused to pay the bribe, the official persisted with the demand and issued threats. It was also alleged that the official deliberately withheld consignments as a coercive measure to force payment.

CBI Trap Corroborates Bribery Demands

Over multiple days of verification between July 25, 2025, and August 1, 2025, the CBI, in the presence of independent witnesses, corroborated the bribery demands through recorded conversations and other evidence. The investigation revealed that the accused had demanded three separate bribes:

• ₹6,00,000 for previously cleared consignments (₹5,80,000 for his senior officers and ₹20,000 as his personal share).
• ₹10,00,000 to facilitate the release of a currently held consignment.
• A continuous rate of ₹10 per kilogram for the future clearance of consignments.

On August 2, 2025, the CBI conducted a trap operation and caught the official red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹10,20,000.

The accused was subsequently produced before a court, which has granted police custody until August 6, 2024, to allow for further investigation. The CBI’s inquiry into the case is ongoing, and it includes looking into the involvement of other potential public and private individuals.