CBI arrests middleman from Ludhiana

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a middleman from Ludhiana who was allegedly accepting bribe of Rs 60,000 on behalf of officials of Assistant Director General of Foreign Trade ( ADGFT) in Punjab

The move came after CBI received a complaint from an auto component company alleging that the man is demanding bribe. The agency registered an FIR against unknown persons.

“The complainant (the owner of a company which deals in manufacturing of auto parts) has stated that he received a demand notice from the office of ADGFT, Ludhiana directing him to either submit the documents of export showing fulfilment of export obligation as per conditions of the authorisation or pay custom duty exemption availed on the imported goods plus interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum within 30 days from the date of issue of demand notice,” CBI press information officer R K Gaur said.

He said the representatives of the company met the officials of ADGFT and showed them the concerned documents pertaining to the payments.

“The representatives were informed to meet the middleman at Ludhiana who demanded alleged gratification of Rs 80,000 to settle the issue of demand notice. After negotiation, the gratification amount was reduced to Rs 60,000,” Gaur added.