January 24, 2025: In a stunning revelation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has charged one of its own officers, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) A Bhaskar, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹20 lakh from a customs official. The bribe was reportedly offered to influence an ongoing corruption investigation involving the official.

The First Information Report (FIR) against DSP Bhaskar and three others was registered on January 10, based on a complaint by DSP Rajesh Pandey from the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in Mumbai.

The case traces its origins to March 2023, when the CBI initiated an investigation following allegations of customs officers and clearing agents colluding to bypass duty payments. The scheme involved using the passports of individuals who had lived abroad for over two years to clear dutiable goods without paying customs duties.

According to the complaint, the accused customs officers had formed a cartel, receiving illegal gratification and facilitating the clearance of goods without imposing the required duties. DSP Bhaskar, tasked with investigating the case, is alleged to have exploited his position to accept a bribe instead of taking action against the accused.

The FIR also names Customs Preventive Officer Roshan Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Yogesh Kumar, and a private individual, Vijay Mawara, as co-conspirators in facilitating the bribery and furthering the corruption.

This incident is the second major embarrassment for the CBI this month, as another Mumbai-based DSP, BM Meena, was recently charged with corruption. Meena, who was part of the banking securities fraud branch, was accused of demanding and accepting bribes through intermediaries and hawala channels to favour individuals under investigation for bank fraud.

The CBI’s recent actions highlight the challenges the agency faces in maintaining internal integrity while combating corruption nationwide. The agency has reiterated its commitment to holding its officers accountable, regardless of rank or position.