Assets worth `3 cr seized from 2 Central Excise officials

The anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seized assets, investment and cash totalling worth more than Rs 3 crore from two of the three Central Excise officials who were arrested last week in a graft case.

The anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seized assets, investment and cash totalling worth more than Rs 3 crore from two of the three Central Excise officials who were arrested last week in a graft case.

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On September 21, the CBI had arrested three Central Excise officials, including a woman, for allegedly accepting Rs 15,000 to issue Customs Bonding Licence to a private consultant.

Those arrested were RA Bobbal, superintendent of excise (Range V), SK Wadgane, superintendent (technical), and K J Shankarnarayan, inspector (technical) — all from Belapur Division II — and one Deepak Vanaye.

A CBI statement said during subsequent searches at Shankarnarayan’s residence at Chembur, the officials found 1.5 kg gold worth around Rs 28 lakh, 4.6 kg silver worth around Rs 1.4 lakh and Rs 50 lakh worth investment in shares.

They also seized Rs 3 lakh in cash and fixed deposit receipts for Rs 50,000 from two lockers belonging to Shankarnarayan.

The CBI also found that Shankarnarayan had booked another flat in Chembur and paid Rs 70 lakh in August.

The agency also found that Wadgane has investment in shares and bonds, valued at Rs 30 lakh, in addition to a bank balance of Rs 65 lakh. They also recovered Rs 12 lakh from Wadgane’s house.