BENGALURU – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Bangalore, has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a Superintendent of Customs following a surprise inspection that uncovered unexplained cash hidden at his workplace and in his private vehicle.
The case (RC0372026A0001) was formally registered on January 22, 2026, after receiving necessary clearances from the Government of Karnataka and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
The Surprise Raid: ICD Whitefield
The investigation stems from a Joint Surprise Check (JSC) conducted on September 20 and 21, 2024, at the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Whitefield, Bengaluru. The check was initiated based on “reliable source information” regarding rampant corruption at the facility.
Key Findings of the Raid:
- Workplace Recovery: Investigators found ₹10,000 (in ₹200 denominations) stashed in a dustbin within the cubicle of Mr. Vinod Kumar Pandey, Superintendent of Customs.
- Vehicle Search: A subsequent search of Pandey’s car (registration UP70EX9747) revealed another ₹47,500 in ₹500 notes hidden in a box beneath the driver’s side hand-rest.
- Total Unexplained Cash: A total of ₹57,500 was recovered, for which Pandey could not provide a satisfactory explanation.
Violation of Customs Regulations
According to the CBI, current Customs Circulars mandate that officials must declare any personal cash exceeding ₹5,000 in the Cash Declaration Register. Pandey failed to make any such declaration despite being in possession of significant cash.
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The CBI stated that his inability to explain the source of the funds prima facie points toward “illegal gratification”.
Legal Framework and Charges
The FIR names Mr. Vinod Kumar Pandey along with “unknown public servants and unknown private persons”. They have been booked under the following sections:
- Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Pertaining to criminal conspiracy.
- Sections 7 and 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amended 2018): Relating to public servants obtaining undue advantage and dishonest performance of duty.
The investigation is being led by Deputy Superintendent of Police B. M. Manoj under the supervision of Vinayak Varma, IPS, Head of Branch, CBI ACB Bangalore.
