Did CBI Really Hand Down 5-Year Jail Sentence and Rs 63 Lakh Fine to an Excise Official for Illegal Assets?
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Synopsis
A Special CBI Court in Ahmedabad has handed down a five-year prison sentence and a staggering Rs 63 lakh fine to an excise official for illegal asset accumulation. This case sheds light on corruption within government ranks and serves as a warning against financial misconduct.
Key Takeaways
- Five years of rigorous imprisonment for the excise official.
- Significant fine of Rs 63 lakh imposed.
- Wife sentenced to one year in prison.
- Assets found to be 183.57% greater than known income.
- CBI's ongoing efforts to combat corruption.
Ahmedabad, Dec 29 (NationPress) A Special CBI Court in Ahmedabad has sentenced a Central Excise and Service Tax official to five years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) along with a hefty fine of Rs 63 lakh due to his unlawful possession of assets that exceeded his known income sources, as confirmed by an official statement.
The court found Kaushik Anvantrai Karelia, who was serving as an Appraiser/Preventive Officer at the Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) and is currently an Inspector in Bhavnagar, guilty of the charges brought against him.
Furthermore, his wife, Pooja Karelia, received a one-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs 50,000 for her role in the offence, according to the CBI.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated this case on September 30, 2013, based on allegations that the couple, between September 1, 2008, and March 31, 2013, accumulated assets that were disproportionate to their legitimate income sources.
Initially, the investigation covered the period from April 1, 2004, to March 20, 2013. Ultimately, the CBI filed a charge sheet on September 3, 2014, revealing that the couple had amassed assets worth Rs 57.60 lakh that were 183.57 percent greater than their declared income.
In a separate incident, a postal assistant from Madhya Pradesh was sentenced to five years in prison for embezzling Rs 13.85 lakh from government funds by manipulating electronic records.
Point of View
This case underscores the importance of accountability within public service. It highlights the CBI's commitment to combating corruption and reinforces the message that financial misconduct will not be tolerated.
NationPress
29/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges were filed against the excise official?
The excise official was charged with possessing assets disproportionate to his source of income.
What was the penalty for the official?
He was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 63 lakh.
Who else was implicated in this case?
His wife, Pooja Karelia, was also sentenced to one year in prison and fined Rs 50,000 for abetment.
When was the CBI case registered?
The CBI case was registered on September 30, 2013.
What was the total amount of illegal assets accumulated?
The couple was found to have amassed assets worth Rs 57.60 lakh.
