TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Goa submitted a chargesheet against central excise inspector Nilesh Thakur before the Special Judge under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) in connection with a bribery case.
The CBI has charged the officer with corruption under Sections 7 and 13 (2) read with 13(1) (d) of the PCA 1988. The case will come up for trial in the next few days.
CBI sources said they have attached 17 documents to the chargesheet to prove the charges against Thakur and recorded statements of 16 witnesses. The number of witnesses is expected to go up to 22 during the course of the trial.
A chip containing the tapped conversation between the complainant and the accused wherein the latter is allegedly heard demanding bribe is also submitted to the Court.
Thakur, posted in the Bicholim Range from September 20, 2011 was caught red-handed after Nilesh Parab, Manager (Administration) of M/s Swanson Plastics (India) Pvt Ltd at Honda in Sattari complained that the former was demanding bribe. A trap was laid in the month of May and the accused was arrested.
According to the complaint, the alleged tainted officer who is presently on bail, demanded that the company officials pay Rs 2,700 for a tourist vehicle meant for his guests after his earlier demand of Rs 5,000 bribe every month was refused by the Honda-based company.
Officials said Thakur’s job profile was to scrutinize the returns filed by the companies, online and manually; preparation of draft showcause notices, maintenance of records and visit the premises for examination, stuffing of goods and sealing export containers.
The CBI is investigating around nine cases, including four cases where it laid traps since January till date, of which two bribery cases of central excise inspector Nilesh Thakur and assistant audit officer at CAG office in Mumbai S Chedda, has been chargesheeted.
