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The Central Bureau of Investigation today arrested a Superintendent
of Central Excise posted at Excise Range IV, E-Division, Byculla,
Mumbai for demanding a bribe of Rs.1.5 lakh and accepting
Rs.1.25 lakh at the office of the complainant at Mazagaon.
The complainant, a businessman dealing in iron mercantiles
fabrication had approached C.B.I. with a complaint that he
had filed his excise return in the Range office and Division
office of the Central excise. His establishment is exempted
from Central Excise duty having excisable turnover of less
than Rs.one crore. The accused Superintendent and an Inspector
of Central excise had jointly visited his office and taken
all his records and after three days returned those without
any notice or memo. The officials had subsequently threatened
the complainant that liability of more than Rs.3 lakh will
be raised against him unless he (complainant) paid them a
bribe of Rs.1.50 lakh. However, the demand was later reduced
to Rs.1.25 lakh.
On receipt of the complaint, a case was registered U/s 7
of P.C. Act, r/w Section 120-B IPC against both the accused
persons. A trap was laid and the Superintendent of Central
Excise was arrested while accepting the bribe of Rs.1.25 lakh.
Further investigation is continuing.
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