Last Updated: March 13, 2024, 19:40 IST
The CBI also investigated the appointment of Pareva to the sensitive Air Intelligence Unit, particularly his transfer from the protocol office of Chief Customs Commissioner Prachi Swaroop. (Photo: Shutterstock)
According to a report by The Free Press Journal, human rights violations were observed at Mumbai Airport, where customs officers reportedly forced passengers to undergo body scanning without their consent or magistrate orders
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) interrogated senior Mumbai Airport customs officials on Tuesday regarding the alleged misuse of body scanner X-ray machines for extortion and the illegal possession of contraband gold. There were concerns raised about the customs commissioner’s failure to take action despite a vigilance report against the involved officers.
According to a report by The Free Press Journal, human rights violations were observed at Mumbai Airport, where customs officers reportedly forced passengers to undergo body scanning without their consent or the necessary magistrate orders.
During the interrogation, Customs Vigilance Additional Commissioner Nancy D’Souza was questioned regarding a preliminary investigation report. This report implicated three customs officers: Customs Superintendent Pankaj Pareva, and Superintendents Jitendra Yadav and Vinod, who were identified as the Air Intelligence Unit C batch in-charge. They were accused of extortion and theft of gold detected in the rectum of a passenger named Abdul Nivas during a body scan.
The trio allegedly threatened Nivas and extorted Rs 75,000 from him, subsequently pocketing the gold bar instead of seizing it and depositing it in the government treasury as required.
The CBI also investigated the appointment of Pareva to the sensitive Air Intelligence Unit, particularly his transfer from the protocol office of Chief Customs Commissioner Prachi Swaroop. Additionally, the agency collected body scanner X-ray data, records, and footage for further scrutiny.
As per the FPJ report, Airport Customs Commissioner Manish Mani Tiwari avoided calls and messages for comments. The report further stated that he has applied for a year-long leave after repeated exposure of extortion and corruption rackets in Mumbai Airport Customs. The racket run by select customs superintendents and assistant commissioners posted in the elite Air Intelligence Unit intercepted passengers clearing the Green Channel just outside the airport chief commissioner’s office near the Arrival Hall.
According to a customs vigilance report, arriving passengers were given an ultimatum: either stay at the airport all day and night as hostages or undergo body X-rays to leave.
“No case has been booked on the basis of body scanning X-ray. Any contraband gold detected in the body scanning X-ray was pocketed by the customs officials on duty and the passenger was released after taking a hefty amount,” disclosed a senior customs official familiar with the situation.
Prachi Swaroop, in a meeting with Tiwari and Dsouza, ordered the transfer of 13 customs superintendents and officers. However, some view this as an attempt to cover up the failure to address the corruption and extortion.
“It is a cover up attempt by senior IRS officers over failure to stop such blatant corruption and extortion rackets. Customs commissioner did not file cases against the accused customs officers despite CCTV evidence,” noted another official.