UP News: Tomato Scandal in UP, Four Custom Officials Suspended for Bungling

UP News: Days after the Maharajganj police and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in a joint operation captured three tonnes of tomatoes that were being smuggled into India from Nepal and afterwards released them illegally, four customs department employees have been suspended. The package, estimated to be worth Rs. 4. 8 lakhs, was reportedly given to customs officials for destruction after being confiscated on July 7.

Tomatoes Seized by Customs Released and Intercepted Again, Leading to Four Suspensions

The seized perishable commodities must be destroyed within 24 hours in accordance with the rules. But it's claimed that once the customs authorities released the tomatoes, cops once more intercepted them and took them away. Later, this was disclosed to customs personnel at the Lucknow headquarters. Aarti Saxena, Lucknow's customs commissioner, stated that four department employees stationed in the border area had been suspended as a result of their initial investigation after they were deemed prima facie responsible for the failures that allowed the release of the tomatoes.

Customs Officials Suspended Amid Tomato Smuggling Controversy; Investigation Continues

Inspectors S.S. Haider, Aditya Sharma, and Jitendra Kumar, in addition to supervisor Vishal Mehta, have all been suspended. Senior officials stated that the investigation is still ongoing and that those found guilty will face a final punishment. An SSB team stopped two jeeps carrying 1.5 tonnes of tomatoes apiece on July 7 in the vicinity of Nichlaul in the Maharajganj district. After SSB notified the local authorities, a police unit arrived at the scene. It was reported to the customs agency after inspection. Along with the automobiles, the package was removed by customs. Once more, on July 8, Samptiha police outpost in the Nautanwa area of the district stopped two jeeps carrying 1.5 tonnes of tomatoes apiece.

CCTV Footage Contradicts Police and Customs Claims

According to the police, they noted it in their general journal and let higher police officers know about it. Later, the police determined that the two jeeps shared the same licence plates as those seized in Nichlaul the day before, as well as the same quantity of tomatoes. Staff members of the local customs agency said that these two jeeps were different, and senior police authorities afterwards notified them. Additionally, they stated that they had destroyed the earlier seized tomatoes in accordance with SOP. However, the toll booth and road crossing CCTV footage painted a different scenario.

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