Customs officials' homes, offices raided

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have conducted raids on the house and offices of Customs Department Principal Commissioner P K Jain, and subsequently booked him on the charges of corruption.

The probe agency had received information that the official had demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh for returning material seized earlier.

A broker has also been arrest by the CBI team, while Assistant Commissioner Sushil Kumar Pareek is absconding.

Officials said they first arrested an agent named Lalaram with Rs 2 lakh, and he admitted to working on behalf of senior custom officials.

Based on the information he revealed, the CBI raided the homes and offices of Jain and Pareek. Officials said the raids were conducted simultaneously at all the places, including Jain’s homes in Jaipur and Delhi. They added that Lalaram said he was working for the custom officials over the past two years.  The officials said the CBI received information that Jain had reportedly demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh through Pareek for handing back seized items.

Pareek later asked the person, from whom the bribe was demanded, to get in touch with Lalaram for further directions. Lalaram initially asked for Rs 5 lakh on behalf on Jain and Pareek, and latter sealed the deal for Rs 2 lakh. The individual reported the matter to the CBI, following which the agency took action.