The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a long-absconding proclaimed offender in connection with a customs duty drawback fraud of about ₹58 lakh. The case was registered in 1999 against customs officials and private individuals for cheating the Customs Department. During investigation, the accused’s role was established as a partner of a firm that filed false duty drawback claims, including a claim of about ₹19 lakh. Although charges were filed in 2003, the accused failed to appear before court and remained untraceable for years. He was declared a proclaimed offender in 2004 and a reward was announced for information leading to his arrest. Subsequent field verification revealed that he had changed his identity and obtained new PAN, Aadhaar, and passport documents while residing in Noida. Acting on fresh inputs and technical analysis, the CBI traced and arrested him on 7 January 2026, bringing a decades-old case closer to closure.
Central Bureau of Investigation
Press Releases
08-01-2026
CBI Arrests Proclaimed Offender in Rs. 58 Lakh Customs Department Fraud Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Proclaimed Offender (PO) Sarit Vij @ Sarat Kumar Vij carrying a reward of Rs. 10,000 for his arrest in a case related to Customs Department fraud amounting to Rs.58 lakh approx. He was absconding since long.
CBI registered the instant case on 01.06.1999 against Joseph Kuok, Supdt. Inland Container Depot (ICD), Tughlakabad, Delhi, and others for cheating the customs department amounting to Rs. 58 lakh approximately. During investigation, role of Sarit Vij was established. He was partner in the firm M/s PS International, which filed the false duty drawback in the Customs Department for claim of Rs. 19 lakh. After completion of investigation, he was chargesheeted along with other co-accused persons.
During trial proceeding the accused Sarit Vij did not appear before the Hon’ble Court ever after filing of chargesheet in the year 2003. Further, persistent and sustained efforts were made to trace the accused during the course of Trial, however, he remained untraceable. After completion of all prescribed legal formalities, the accused Sarit Vij @ Sarat Kumar Vij was declared a Proclaimed Offender on 30.01.2004. A reward of Rs. 10,000 was also declared for providing informatrion about the aforesaid accused person.
Subsequently, based on inputs collected during field verification, it was revealed that the accused Sarit Vij had changed his identity as Sarat Kumar Vij, having a residential address at Noida. The accused had changed his PAN card, Aadhaar card and Passport.
The CBI conducted a meticulous operation, duly supported by technical analysis, and successfully apprehended the Proclaimed Offender on 07.01.2026 at his new residence.
