Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

07-April-2011 19:47 IST

CBEC Denies any Call Received from any Minister's Office by Mumbai Custom Officials to Release Goa's Education Minister

Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has denied that that any calls were received by the Custom Officials at Mumbai Airport from the office of any Minister. The decision was taken entirely as per Customs Rules and Regulations. The investigations are still in progress and other investigative agencies have been addressed with details.

Earlier, it has been reported by a certain section of the media that Shri Atanasio Monserrate, Education Minister of Goa, detained by the Mumbai Airport Customs on April 1, 2011, for allegedly carrying undeclared currency, was let off after a call received from the Union Finance Minister’s office.

 

DSM/SAK

Customs decision-making asserted as independent after CBEC denies ministerial call and confirms rule-based action and ongoing inquiries. The Central Board of Excise and Customs denies any ministerial call to Mumbai Customs and affirms that the detention and decision regarding the Goa Education Minister were taken under Customs rules and regulations; investigations continue and details have been forwarded to other investigative agencies.