On 29 December 2025, a special CBI court in Ahmedabad convicted a serving Central Excise and Service Tax Inspector in a disproportionate assets case, sentencing him to five years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of ₹63 lakh, while his wife received one year of imprisonment with a fine of ₹50,000 for abetment. The case, registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation on 30 September 2013, alleged that during the check period the public servant amassed assets far exceeding known sources of income. Initially assessed for the period 2008–2013, the investigation later expanded the check period to April 2004–March 2013. Following investigation, a charge sheet filed in September 2014 quantified disproportionate assets at over ₹57.6 lakh, amounting to 183.57% in excess of known income. After trial, the court accepted the prosecution’s case and imposed custodial sentences and fines, reaffirming accountability standards for public officials under disproportionate assets laws.
Central Bureau of Investigation
Press Releases
29-12-2025
CBI Court Sentences Central Excise and Service Tax Inspector to 5 Years RI in Disproportionate Assets Case
The CBI Court, Ahmedabad, today, i.e., 29.12.2025, has convicted and sentenced the accused Kaushik Anvantrai Karelia, the then Appraiser/Preventive Officer, Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ), presently working as Inspector, Central Excise and Service tax, Bhavnagar, to Five Years Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) with fine of Rs. 63,00,000 in a Disproportionate Assets case. His wife Pooja Karelia has been sentenced to One Year Imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 50,000 for abetment of the offence in the said Disproportionate Assets (DA) case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the instant case on 30.09.2013 against the accused Kaushik Anvantrai Karelia, the then Appraiser/Preventive Officer, Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ), presently working as Inspector, Central Excise and Service tax, Bhavnagar on the allegations that the accused during the period 01.09.2008 to 31.03.2013, had amassed assets disproportionate to their known source of income to the tune of Rs.19,86,661 which was 130% in excess to their known source of income. During investigation, the check period was revised from 01.04.2004 to 20.03.2013. After the investigation, CBI filed chargesheet on 03.09.2014 against the accused Kaushik Anvantrai Karelia and Pooja Karelia, W/o Kaushik Karelia for amassing assets to the tune of Rs.57,60,729.15 disproportionate to their known source of income, which is 183.57% in excess to their known source of income.
The Hon’ble Court, after the trial, convicted and sentenced the accused persons accordingly.
