Saturday, February 26 2005 18:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Two officers of the rank of superintendents of Central Excise (Preventive) were caught red-handed by the CBI while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a businessman in Kolkata.

Acting on written complaint filed by the businessman with the CBI's Anti-Corruption branch, the agency laid a trap yesterday and caught the two officers for accepting Rs 20,000 'towards the first instalment of Rs 50,000' from the businessman who was being harassed by them, a CBI release said in Kolkata today (Feb 26, 2005).

A search of the residential premises of the officer at Salt Lake led to the seizure of Rs 1.45 lakh in cash, Rs 20 lakh in investments and bank deposits, besides jewellery worth Rs 3.8 lakh and a 'benami' car.

A raid on the Kalighat residence of the other officer led to seizure of about Rs 10 lakh, bank deposits and investments totalling Rs 10 lakh and jewellery worth nearly Rs 5.5 lakh, the release said.

Stating that both the officers had luxurious lifestyles, the release said also seized were 90 designer suits, over 525 DVDs/VCDs, phone and various luxury items.