The Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI ) arrested seven public servants, including senior officers of SEEPZ-SEZ, Mumbai, in a high-profile bribery case involving allegations of collusive corruption.
The accused include a Joint Development Commissioner ( JDC ), a Deputy Development Commissioner ( DDC ), two Assistant Development Commissioners ( ADC ), an Authorized Officer, an Assistant, and an Upper Division Clerk. Two private individuals alleged to act as middlemen were also implicated in the scandal.
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The CBI registered the case on December 17, 2024, involving seven public servants and two private individuals. It alleged that senior officials collected bribes through middlemen from businesses within SEEPZ for illicit favors, including illegal space allotments and duty evasion schemes.
The CBI alleges that bribes were collected for illegal space allotments, the sale of duty-free goods without paying duties, and favoring civil contractors. The CBI also alleges that middlemen collected cash on behalf of the officials with evidence of distribution among the accused officers.
During the searches conducted at the residences and offices of the accused, the CBI seized significant evidence pointing to large-scale corruption. A total of Rs. 61.5 lakh in cash was recovered, with Rs. 47 lakh found at the residence of an Assistant Development Commissioner ( ADC ).
Documents related to 27 immovable properties were uncovered, indicating substantial undeclared assets. Luxury vehicles, including three high-end cars, were seized from the Joint Development Commissioner’s ( JDC ) residence.
Investigators discovered incriminating envelopes containing details of bribe amounts, the names of recipients, and the companies involved, further proving the allegations of collusive corruption.
During the hearing at the special CBI court, defense lawyers argued that the accused were detained at 10 AM on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, but were not presented before the court until the following evening. This exceeded the 24-hour legal limit for detention without judicial supervision.
The CBI explained the need for custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the corruption network. They pointed to the recovery of substantial cash, documents, and evidence linking the accused to the bribery scheme.
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The special judge rejected the prosecution’s plea for custodial interrogation. The court ruled the arrests invalid due to procedural flaws, including improper documentation of the arrest time and unlawful detention.
All seven accused were released on personal recognizance bonds of Rs. 15,000 each. The court mandated their cooperation with the ongoing investigation and adherence to any summons issued.
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