The CBI has unearthed a major scam in the clearance of agri-based commodities imported by some Kolkata-based businessmen, based on forged fumigation certificates, allegedly in conspiracy with a Union Agriculture Ministry official. The role of senior officials is also being probed.
The commodities like wheat and pulses were being imported from several countries including Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria via Turkey, China, Spain, France and Belgium.
On Monday, the CBI seized ₹2.15 crore and jewellery worth about ₹30 lakh from the Kolkata residence of accused R.K. Shashihar, a plant protection officer with the Regional Quarantine Office. Searches were carried out at 22 locations in Kolkata and two in Delhi.
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Those named in the FIR are Mr. Shashihar; Tanweer Anwer Rahman of ITT Shipping Private Limited; Sanjay Choubey of Innovative Pest and Property Management Sciences and Anurag Tulshan of Atcorp Global Private Limited.