CBI books MbPA officials in ₹5L bribery case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked five individuals—including three officials from the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA)—for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹5 lakh to allow a vessel to sail from the port two years ago.

- Abhishek Sharan

MUMBAI:

According to the CBI's FIR, the bribe was paid by the vessel's protective agent, which is a multinational firm with its Indian office in Chennai. The vessel's officials were told that a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the official, A Pal, was needed before the vessel could depart. He allegedly demanded a bribe of $6,000 (approximately ₹5 lakh) to issue the clearance.