CBI arrests customs officer for taking ₹10L bribe at Mumbai Airport

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Superintendent of Customs posted at the Air Cargo Complex, Sahar, Mumbai, on charges of demanding and accepting bribes totalling ₹10.2 lakh from a Customs House Agent (CHA) firm. The arrest was made on August 2, 2025, during a trap operation in which the officer was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe.

The case was registered following a complaint that the officer was soliciting illegal gratification at the rate of ₹10 per kilogram of imported cargo. The bribes were allegedly meant not only for himself but also on behalf of his senior officers, to ensure smooth and expedited clearance of consignments. The complainant alleged that despite refusal to pay, the officer continued to pressure them and resorted to threats. It was also alleged that the officer deliberately withheld consignments to coerce payment.

Verification conducted between July 25 and August 1, 2025, in the presence of independent witnesses, confirmed the bribery demands. Evidence gathered included recorded conversations and other corroborative material. According to the CBI, the officer demanded ₹6 lakh retrospectively—₹5.8 lakh for senior officers and ₹20,000 for himself—for consignments already cleared. He further sought ₹10 lakh for releasing a currently held consignment and insisted on continuing payments at the ₹10/kg rate for future shipments.

The accused was apprehended while accepting ₹10.2 lakh in cash and was immediately taken into custody. He was produced before the court, which granted police custody remand until August 6, 2025.

The CBI has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and further inquiries are being made into the involvement of other public servants and private individuals.