Corruption crackdown expected in Customs department by Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance, through CBIC, is intensifying a crackdown on customs department corruption amid FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s “next big clean-up” overhaul announced at HTLS 2025. Recent probes, like the Wintrack bribery scandal in Chennai, led to officer transfers, broker license suspensions, and a vigilance task force for MSME protections and faceless assessments. This builds on prior actions: Mumbai airport’s 38 staff transfers post-bribery cases, CBI arrests of superintendents, and historical sackings of 15 officers. Expected large-scale measures include mass transfers, automated scrutiny, and duty rationalization pre-Budget 2026 to curb smuggling, harassment, and discretion. These aim to boost transparency and trade efficiency.