The Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI ) has arrested an absconding accused, the then Appraiser, Customs Department, Mumbai in a case related to wrongful loss caused to the Customs Department. The accused was absconding for the last about 20 years and was declared a Proclaimed Offender by the Court.
The accused was wanted in a CBI case, which was registered on 29.09.1999 on the complaint of the Customs, SIIB, New Custom House, Mumbai against the accused and others including private firms. It was alleged that, while working as Appraiser, Custom Department, Mumbai, he had abused his official position and dishonestly confirmed fake DEPB Scrips (Duty Entitlement Pass Book) as genuine submitted by other accused companies and persons. The fraudulent acts of this Appraiser, Customs Department, Mumbai and other accused caused wrongful loss to the Customs Department (Govt. of India) to the tune of approximately Rs. 4,00,72,496/- by way of loss of customs duty on goods imported. It was also alleged that the accused Appraiser had received Rs. 5 lakh and a Maruti Zen car from other accused (private person/companies during 1998-99). The accused did not join the investigation and was absconding. He was removed from the service by the Competent Authority.
It was alleged that he had changed his identity on the basis of fake and forged degrees and had started working as a doctor in Medical Colleges / Hospitals. He was arrested by CBI, while he was impersonating as a Doctor and reportedly working as Associate Professor with a Medical College in Akbarpur, Chhata, Mathura (Uttar Pradesh).
A chargesheet was filed on 27.03.2002 in the Court of Special Judge for CBI Cases, Mumbai against the then Appraiser and other accused U/s 420, 467, 468 & 471 of IPC r/w 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (d) of PC Act, 1988 and substantive offenses thereof. The trial of the case is in progress against other accused.
The arrested accused was brought to Mumbai on transit remand and was produced before the Special Judge, Mumbai. The Court has remanded the accused to CBI Custody till 13.03.2019.
