Amid complaints that proceedings against customs officials at Karipur airport, who were found guilty of fleecing incoming Gulf passengers in the raids conducted recently, were being delayed, two of them have just been placed under suspension.
The two officers were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from the airport near here for allegedly possessing unaccounted for money.
The Commissioner of Central Excise (Customs and Service Tax) B. Syed Mohammad said Inspector Manoj Kumar and Head Constable K.P. Raghuraman were placed under suspension as they were in the custody of the investigative agency for more than 48 hours.
As per service rules, officials who are in custody for more than two days would be deemed suspended, he clarified.
The CBI had seized unaccounted for currency, including US dollars, worth Rs268,000 (Dh22,330) from their possession, in a surprise raid on November 3.
The raid was conducted following complaints of corruption against the officials. Three other officials have been called by the CBI for questioning in connection with the raids. They belong to the Air Customs Intelligence Department.
Meanwhile, reports say that some of the suspects, who had in underground following the CBI raids, are trying to slip out of the country.
