Economic Fraud
Exposed: How FSSAI Officer’s Bribe Led to a Rs 1.8 Crore CBI Seizure
MUMBAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has seized over Rs 1.8 crore cash and other valuables in connection with a bribery case involving an assistant director of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and a manager of a Thane-based company.
The investigation began with the arrest of Harshal Chougule, senior manager at Reliable Analytical Laboratories Pvt Ltd, on Monday. The CBI alleges that Chougule offered a bribe of Rs 1.2 lakh to Amol Jagtap, assistant director at the FSSAI’s Mumbai office, to expedite the clearance of pending bills for his company.
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Following Chougule’s arrest, the CBI conducted searches at his residence and other company premises. These raids resulted in the recovery of a staggering Rs 1.42 crore in cash, along with two gold biscuits, a laptop, and incriminating documents. This sum adds to the Rs 37.3 lakh cash, 45 grams of gold, and property-related documents seized earlier from the residences of the accused.
“The total cash recovered in this case now stands at approximately Rs 1.8 crore. We have also seized gold biscuits and other incriminating evidence during searches conducted after the initial trap,” informed a CBI spokesperson.
CBI RECOVERS Rs. 1.42 CRORE (APPROX) DURING FURTHER SEARCH OPERATION IN A CASE RELATED TO ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF FSSAI BRIBERY CASE pic.twitter.com/wilevAtIrK
— Central Bureau of Investigation (India) (@CBIHeadquarters) May 7, 2024
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Reliable Analytical Laboratories Pvt Ltd is a network of FSSAI-approved chemical testing labs that analyze samples submitted by the food safety authority. The FSSAI, a central government body, plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and quality of food products sold across India.
The CBI’s swift action against bribery within the FSSAI system sends a strong message of deterrence to those seeking to exploit their positions for personal gain. Further investigations are underway to unearth the complete scope of the alleged corruption scheme.