Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 07 accused public servants including, a Joint Development Commissioner (JDC);  a Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC); two Asst. Development Commissioners (ADC); an Assistant; an Authorized Officer; an Upper Division Clerk; all of SEEPZ-SEZ Office, Mumbai in a case of bribery involving allegations of collusive corruption.

Searches were conducted at official and residential premises of accused  at various locations in Mumbai which led to recovery of documents of 27 immovable property documents etc. and 3 luxury vehicles  found at the residence of the accused JDC.
A Cash of Rs. 61.5 lakhs(approx.) has been recovered from the premises of accused persons which includes recovery of Rs. 47 lakh   from the residence of one accused Assistant Development Commissioners. Further various incriminating documents have also been recovered.    

CBI registered a case on 17/12/2024 against 09 accused including 7 public servants, viz, a Joint Development Commissioner (JDC), Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC), two Asst. Development Commissioners (ADC); Asst. Development Commissioners (ADC), Authorized Officer; Assistant; Upper Division Clerk; all of SEEPZ-SEZ, Mumbai and two Private Persons(middlemen) on allegations that  an accused IRS officer presently posted as Joint Development Commissioner (JDC), SEEPZ-SEZ, Andheri (East), Mumbai and other officers were indulging in collusive corruption. It was alleged that the officials posted at SEEPZ-SEZ Mumbai were collecting undue advantage through middlemen from the parties functioning from SEEPZ in the matters of allotment of space, disposal of imported goods, sale of duty free imported goods in market without paying duty, favoring civil contractors, in lieu of monetary consideration.

It was also alleged that a private person (middleman) has been collecting bribes on behalf of officers of SEEPZ-SEZ.  Cash of around Rs. 60 lakh, so collected by him was allegedly kept in his office at SEEPZ Andheri campus, in bags containing envelopes with amount of bribe, name of bribe givers and officers for whom bribe was meant, written on those envelopes.

It was further alleged that the said middleman (private person) also collected bribe of Rs.15 lakh from one private person on 12 December 2024 which he had allegedly handed over to accused JDC who kept Rs. 7 lakhs for himself and distributed bribe of Rs. 8 lakh amongst officers at SEEPZ of which Rs. 4 lakhs was recovered during the searches.  

Investigation is continuing.

Corruption investigation: arrests and recoveries following alleged bribery and middleman-facilitated collusion at a SEZ office. Seven SEEPZ-SEZ Mumbai public servants were arrested on allegations of bribery and collusive corruption involving middlemen; searches recovered cash, property documents, luxury vehicles and incriminating records indicating collections and distribution of bribe proceeds tied to space allotment, disposal and illegal sale of imported goods, and favoritism to contractors. Investigation continues to trace additional evidence and participants.