A top customs department officer was today arrested by CBI for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 19 lakh from a private company to release its container at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Nhava Sheva.
"Customs commissioner, Manoj Krishna, a 1987 batch IRS officer has been arrested along with a customs agent Jigar Desai for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 19 lakh from the complainant company for releasing its container from the port," CBI Joint Director (Western Region) Keshav Kumar said.
Krishna and Desai have been booked under section 120 (b) of IPC for criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
According to CBI, a trap was laid this morning after the agency received a complaint alleging that a demand of Rs 19 lakh was made by Krishna to release a container of the company.
"Krishna had told the complainant to give the bribe money to Desai. A trap was laid and Desai was caught red handed while accepting the bribe amount," Kumar said.
He added that searches were being conducted at the office and residences of both the accused, who would be produced before a court tomorrow.
