Cochin Gold Smuggling Case - ADG DRI in CBI Radar
HE is an Ayurvedic Doctor (BAMS). He joined the IRS (Customs & Central Excise) in 2010 at the age of 32. After going through the induction course at NACEN, he was posted as Assistant Commissioner in a major Custom House in 2012. Last month he got married. How I wish I could continue with this happy story, but right now he is in CBI custody after having been arrested last week. (Briefly reported in Friday's )
The Assistant Commissioner is accused of receiving money and gifts from the notorious smuggler who had been caught in the 20 kgs gold seizure in Cochin Airport last month. CBI recovered a 63 inch TV allegedly gifted by the smuggler. It seems he used the smuggler's car for a month during his marriage. Fearing a CBI raid, he had deposited the gifts in his driver's house, from where CBI recovered them and the driver is also arrested.
There is another twist to the tale. The Assistant Commissioner told the Court that he was introduced to the alleged smuggler by the ADG, DRI. He also showed an SMS message from the ADG. The other officers arrested in this case are also understood to have stated that it was the DRI ADG who introduced them to the smuggler. From DRIver to DRI, the net is spreading far and wide.
It is sad to see young IRS officers recruited and trained with huge costs going down the drain like this. Unfortunately many of the youngsters who join the department now are not ready to wait and watch - and learn - they get into action right from day one. The arrogance, ambition and avarice of some of the recently recruited Assistant Commissioners are appalling. You can spot them in any big city going around in flashy cars (paid for by their preventing wings), demanding huge amounts of money, ready to do any fraud and with absolute contempt for assessees and staff, behaving like spoilt princes. The senior officers should have a close watch on these new age raiders - remember Cochin is not an isolated case.