Chennai: In a late night operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday booked a case against Janaki Arunkumar, the Principal Chief Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Zone, and four others for allegedly demanding bribe for postings and transfer of junior officials.
The residence and office of Ms Arunkumar were being searched till the time of going to press. Searches were being conducted at seven places across Chennai.
Sources in the CBI said the case was registered based on complaints from unknown persons that the top officer and a few others have been demanding bribe for junior-level postings and transfers within the department.
The complaints allege that the principal commissioner and a few officers, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, entered into a criminal conspiracy demanding bribe from junior officers.
Sources said one of the junior officers fixed an appointment with Ms Arunkumar on Tuesday to handover Rs 2 lakh for a favourable posting from her. Besides, the 1979 Indian Revenue Service officer, four superintendents of the Customs and Excise department of the Chennai zone have been named in the FIR.
