New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Thursday opposed the anticipatory bail application of Central Excise Commissioner A.K. Srivastava for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs.60 lakh from mobile phone importers.

Srivastava along with co-accused central excise superintendent Lallan Ojha and alleged middleman Hemant Gandhi was involved in the offence, the probe agency said.

The CBI opposed its anticipatory bail application of the commissioner and told special CBI judge Talwant Singh: “Srivastava was deeply involved in the conspiracy.”

“Everything was done at his instructions and he was playing his role from behind the scene,” said Public Prosecutor V.K. Sharma.

The court after hearing the argument reserved its order on the plea till Friday.

Srivastava is in hospital where he has undergone angioplasty.

According to the CBI, Ojha Dec 28, along with a team of officials of central excise, conducted a surprise raid at the warehouse of Dilip Aggarwal and Anand Aggarwal and negotiated a deal for illegal gratification.

The CBI later recovered a cheque of Rs.20 lakh and currency notes along with other evidence.

The probe agency booked the accused under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.