 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tamil Nadu |
|
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Retail Plus | Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary |
Tamil Nadu
He took Rs. 6000, allegedly as bribe, for issuing a certificate to clear a consignment CHENNAI: Sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a senior official of the Chennai Port Trust after he took Rs.6,000, allegedly as bribe, for issuing a certificate to clear a consignment of imported fruits here on Friday. A search on the residential premises and bank locker of the official revealed cash/liquid assets to the tune of Rs.1.35 crore and proof of immovable assets in Chennai and Bangalore. According to agency sources, N.C. Alexander, a leading importer/exporter of fruits approached the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch with a complaint that Port Health Officer, V.V. Sairam Babu, was demanding Rs.6,000 for issuing the certificate to facilitate delivery of a consignment of Washington Apples. A special team was formed to investigate the complaint. It laid a trap and arrested Dr. Sairam Babu after he received the money through Customs House Agents V.A. Manisekaran and A.C. Bhoopathy on Friday evening in the presence of official witnesses. A case under Section 7 (public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration) and Section 12 (abetment) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, has been registered. “Unless a certificate is given by the competent authority, in this case the Port Health Officer, that a consignment of fruits or eatables is fit for human consumption, it will not be cleared. If issuing of such certificate is delayed, the agent will have to pay demurrage and plug-in charges. Moreover, perishable products cannot be stored for long. Discreet enquiries revealed that fruit agents were paying Rs.6,000 for each consignment,” an investigator said. “We are looking into the disproportionate wealth angle as well,” the official added. About 300 fruit agents in the city regularly import fruit consignments from the US, China and Australia. The complainant in the case is a major importer, who distributes fruits to different parts of the country. Dr. Sairam Babu and Customs House Agent Manisekaran were produced before a special judge for CBI cases and remanded to judicial custody till January 3. They have been lodged in the Puzhal central prison.
Printer friendly
page
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | The Hindu ePaper | Business Line | Business Line ePaper | Sportstar | Frontline | Publications | eBooks | Images | Ergo | Home |
Copyright © 2008, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|