CBI Probe Uncovers Bribe Scam at Mumbai Port Trust
• CBI Books Port Trio for Bribe in Ship Clearance
• Sprouts SIT Exposes Mumbai Port Bribery Nexus
Raju Vernekar
Sprouts News Exclusive
The CBI has booked six individuals, including three senior Mumbai Port Trust officials, for allegedly accepting a ₹5 lakh bribe from a foreign vessel in 2023. The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) reveals that the ship was delayed illegally, and the bribe was routed through a family account, triggering a corruption probe.
In a major development that raises questions about governance in Indian maritime logistics, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked six individuals, including three senior officials of the Mumbai Port Trust, for allegedly extracting a bribe of ₹5 lakh from a foreign vessel in 2023. The action follows an internal complaint initiated by the Vigilance Department of Mumbai Port Trust, marking yet another case where institutional corruption hampers global trade operations.
Foreign Vessel Held Hostage for Bribe, Says CBI FIR
According to FIR No. RC0262025AO034, registered on June 25, 2025, under multiple sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), senior marine officials delayed the departure of the bulk carrier MV Al Karama in April 2023, unless a bribe was paid. The vessel had completed its discharge and was ready to sail from X3 Anchorage, but officials allegedly created artificial delays.
The accused named in the FIR include Capt. Abhishek Singh Pal (Pilot, Marine Department), Capt. Sanjay Khandhway (Dock Master), Capt. Umesh Oak (Dock Master), and Thomas D’Souza, Senior Manager of M/s. Ben Line Agencies, along with the agency itself and one unidentified person. The CBI initiated the probe based on a report submitted by the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Port Trust.
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Bribe Paid Through Family Channel, Says Investigation
The vessel’s agent, M/s Mahalaxmi Shipping, was allegedly pressured by Capt. Pal to pay $6000 (approx. ₹5,00,000) as a bribe. The amount was transferred through M/s Ben Line Agency to a bank account held by Archana Pal, wife of Capt. Pal’s brother-in-law, on April 7, 2023, at 08:38 PM. The account was traced to Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, confirming the suspected familial routing of illicit payments.
Further, the vessel’s departure was delayed by nearly 48 hours, with operations resuming only after an official undertaking was provided on April 8, 2023, by the agent to waive any future claims related to Capt. Pal’s injury aboard the ship. Despite these assurances, port clearance issues further stalled the vessel, which finally sailed at 2:45 PM on the same day.
Port Officials Flouted SOPs, CBI Alleges
Investigations by the Vigilance Department and CBI found glaring violations of standard operating procedures. The ship was detained without formal approval from the Deputy Conservator, and senior officers, including the Harbor Master, failed to follow due protocol.
The vigilance team acquired Section 17A approval under the Prevention of Corruption Act to formally proceed against public servants. CBI officials confirmed that call detail records and transaction timestamps substantiated the bribe allegations. The money trail, involving a close relative of the main accused, strengthened the charge of criminal conspiracy under Section 120-B IPC, along with violations under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 of the PCA.
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Sprouts SIT Calls Out Deep-Seated Port Corruption
The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) highlights that such incidents tarnish India’s global maritime reputation, especially when Indian Navy and Coast Guard are internationally respected for providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in the Indo-Pacific. Extracting bribes from foreign vessels directly contradicts this image and threatens commercial credibility.
This case exposes systemic corruption in port operations, where bribes are allegedly routed via relatives, and standard procedures are bypassed to coerce shipping agents. Industry stakeholders have raised concerns over the unchecked powers of marine officers and the impact such corruption has on international shipping timelines.
CBI Continues Investigation; Action Awaited
According to Amit Vasava, Superintendent of Police, CBI ACB Mumbai, the case has now been assigned to Police Inspector Anup Kumar Meena for further investigation. The accused are expected to face stringent legal scrutiny in the coming weeks. This investigation by Sprouts SIT adds to growing calls for maritime regulatory reform, greater port transparency, and swift action against corrupt officials.
As global trade dynamics shift toward efficiency and integrity, such cases demand not only prosecution but also comprehensive institutional clean-up within India’s port authorities.
