CBI Recovers ₹1.59 Crore Cash in Mumbai Passport Office Corruption Case
Hyderabad, 3rd July 2024
(Judicial Quest News Network)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) extended its investigation on 30th June and 1st July 2024, conducting searches at the office and residence of an additional passport agent in Mumbai. During these operations, approximately Rs 1.59 crore in cash and substantial incriminating evidence, including five diaries and digital records, were seized.
Earlier, on 28th June 2024, the CBI had initiated twelve cases against fourteen officials, including Passport Assistants/Senior Passport Assistants stationed at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in Lower Parel and Malad. Additionally, eighteen passport facilitation agents were implicated. Allegations surfaced that these officials collaborated with agents to exploit procedural loopholes for personal gain, such as issuing passports based on incomplete or falsified documents.
The investigation commenced following Joint Surprise Checks (JSC) conducted on 26th June 2024 at PSKs in Parel and Malad, in collaboration with Vigilance Officers from the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs and Mumbai’s Regional Passport Office (RPO). Analysis of seized materials revealed suspicious transactions and improper interactions between the accused officers and passport agents, suggesting illicit monetary exchanges.
Earlier searches on 29th June 2024 across Mumbai and Nashik yielded additional damning evidence related to passport fraud.
The investigation remains ongoing
