The Office of the Principal Commissioner of Customs (General), Mumbai, has placed a senior intelligence officer, Deepak Kumar under suspension following a bribery allegation involving a demand of Rs. 50 lakh.
According to an official order issued by the Vigilance Section, New Custom House, Ballard Estate, the suspension was ordered against Shri Deepak Kumar, Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO), who was posted in the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit on loan basis from Mumbai Customs Zone-I since August 18, 2025.
The action follows an incident report dated October 8, 2025, received by the DRI, Mumbai, alleging that Deepak Kumar demanded an illegal gratification of Rs. 50 lakh. Acting on the report, the Principal Commissioner invoked Rule 10(1)(a) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1965 to place the officer under suspension with immediate effect and until further orders.
During the suspension period, the order stipulates that Deepak Kumar’s headquarters shall remain New Custom House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai, and he will not be permitted to leave headquarters without prior approval.
As per the order, the officer will be entitled to subsistence allowance under Fundamental Rule 53(1)(ii)(a), along with other admissible allowances under relevant service rules.
The DRI and Customs vigilance authorities are expected to conduct a detailed inquiry into the alleged demand. The case underscores the department’s continuing efforts to maintain integrity and accountability within the revenue intelligence framework.
Noted Senior Advocate Dr. Sujay Kantwala when contacted by JurisHour Team remarked, “the termites of Corruption ,in India have clearly beaten the worst case of real termite damage and stories on a daily basis emerging from major ports like JNCH shocks the conscience .the senior officials seem to be sleeping more than Kumbhakarna .anything and everything it seems can be cleared,it’s really scary.Hope things change or we are in a bottomless pit.”
This latest case has once again brought to light the deep-rooted corruption plaguing the revenue administration, where even honest taxpayers and entrepreneurs face hurdles in routine compliance. Business circles have voiced growing frustration, noting that even obtaining a simple GST registration often involves undue delays and demands for illegal gratification.
The DRI and Customs vigilance authorities are expected to conduct a detailed inquiry into the bribery allegations. The incident has reinforced calls for systemic reforms and stricter vigilance mechanisms to restore integrity and public trust in revenue departments.
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