MUMBAI: A Superintendent posted at the Sahar Air Cargo Complex in Mumbai has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) while accepting a bribe of ₹10.2 lakh from a customs house agent (CHA) firm. The officer, identified as Krishna Kumar, is accused of demanding illegal payments for clearing imported cargo without delays or complications.
Bribe per kilo and threats to block clearance
According to the complaint filed with the CBI, the accused officer had demanded bribes based on the weight of the consignment, ₹10 per kilogram, in the name of both himself and his senior officers. When the complainant refused to comply, the officer allegedly began threatening the firm and deliberately obstructed the clearance of shipments.
CBI initiated an inquiry into the allegations between July 25 and August 1, during which multiple independent witnesses were involved in verifying the claims. Based on corroborated evidence, including audio recordings of the bribe demands, the agency launched a trap operation.
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Bribe for past consignments and future promises
The recordings and material evidence revealed that Krishna Kumar had asked for ₹6 lakh to cover previously cleared consignments, ₹5.8 lakh allegedly intended for senior officials and ₹20,000 for himself. For releasing goods currently on hold, an additional ₹10 lakh was demanded. Furthermore, he sought to secure a continued bribe arrangement of ₹10 per kilo for all future shipments.
On August 2, CBI teams apprehended the officer while accepting ₹10.2 lakh. Following the arrest, he was presented before the court and remanded to police custody until August 6, 2025. The agency has also registered a case against unknown private individuals and other unnamed public servants.
The investigation is ongoing to uncover the broader network of complicity within the customs department.