CBI Arrests Plant Protection Officer and 3 Others in a Bribery Case of Rs.1.86 Crore

CBI Arrests Plant Protection Officer and 3 Others in a Bribery Case of Rs.1.86 Crore The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Plant Protection Officer, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage Department, Ministry of Agriculture (Govt of India), Visakhapatnam and three private persons including a Regional Manager of a private company based at Visakhapatnam in a bribery case of Rs.1.86 Crore. A case was filed against the Regional Manager of a commercial enterprise with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam and the Plant Protection Officer, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage Department, Ministry of Agriculture (Govt of India), Visakhapatnam. In order to issue Phytosanitary Certificates for exporting the goods and Consignment Release Orders for imported consignments, it was alleged that the Plant Protection Officer, Visakhapatnam, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage Department, Ministry of Agriculture (Govt. of India), demanded and collected sizable bribes from CHAs, fumigators, and shipping agents. Additionally, it was claimed that the public official asked the regional manager of a private company with headquarters in Visakhapatnam for illegal benefits in exchange for clearing a pending application and issuing a favourable certificate to Customs for the release of import/export consignments of agricultural commodities. The CBI arrested the Visakhapatnam Plant Protection Officer and the aforementioned Regional Manager of a private company and recovered the Rs. 6000/- bribe money. At the homes of the accused and others, including his accomplices, in Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Roorkee, searches were carried out (Uttarakhand). Cash totaling about Rs. 1,29,63,450 was found in the workplace of a public employee, and cash purportedly belonged to same employee totaling approximately Rs. 56,86,000 was discovered in the workplaces of others. Additionally, some incriminating documents were found. All the arrested accused will be produced before the Court of Principal Special Judge for CBI Cases, Visakhapatnam.