The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four including Assistant Director, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Regional Office, Mumbai and three private persons viz : a Director, a Senior Manager and another representative of a Thane based private company, in a case related to demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 1.20 lakh in lieu of clearance of pending bills of the said private company.
A case was registered by CBI against three accused including Asst. Director (Technical), FSSAI, Mumbai and two private persons viz a Director & a Senior Manager of Thane based private company. The said private company and other unknown person, on allegations that the said Assistant Director (AD), FSSAI, Regional Office, Mumbai, in connivance with a number of intermediaries, is inbvolved in illegal & corrupt practices of demanding and accepting bribes from Food Business Operators and other interested parties for dishonest discharge of public duty in his capacity as public servant.
It was also alleged that accused AD, FSSAI agreed to accept bribe from accused Sr. Manager of the private company, who would deliver bribe on behalf of Director of the said Company, in lieu of clearance of their pending bills.
CBI laid a trap and caught accused Assistant Director, FSSAI, red handed while accepting the bribe of Rs.1,20,000/- from the said Sr. Manager and another representative of the private company. All three accused involved in the exchange of bribe money were arrested. Later, accused Director of the private company was also arrested.
Searches were conducted at the office and residential premises of accused which led recovery of Rs. 37.3 Lakh (approx) cash, about 45 gram gold and documents pertaining to various immovable properties and other incriminating documents.
The arrested accused were produced before the Competent Court and have been remanded to Police Custody till May 8th 2024 while the investigation is continuing.
