Central Excise officer arrested for 'accepting' bribe

A Central Excise officer has been arrested by CBI for allegedly accepting a bribe from a trader in return for withdrawing a notice on duty on goods.
CBI sources said Akhilesh Tiwari, working in the Office of Commissioner of Central Excise, Thane as a superintendent, was arrested while he along with Inspector R K Singh was accepting bribe from the person who made a complaint to the agency.
"A case was registered against the Superintendent of Central Excise and an Inspector, both working in the Office of Commissioner of Central Excise, Thane-II, Mumbai on a complaint regarding demand of bribe for Rs.50,000," CBI spokesperson said in a statement.

The official said it was alleged in the complaint that the Superintendent of Central Excise has issued notice to the complainant to clarify the duty on goods purchased by him.
"The Superintendent of Central Excise and the Inspector has demanded Rs 50,000 for taking back the said notice from the complainant. CBI laid a trap and the Superintendent was arrested while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 45,000 from the complainant," the statement said.
While Tiwari was arrested, Singh managed to give a slip and is on the run, the sources said.
"Searches were conducted at the official and residential premises of the accused and recovered a cash of Rs 19 lakh and bank balance of Rs 42 lakh," the statement said.

The agency produced Tiwari before a special CBI court today which sent him to CBI custody till March 18.