India, July 3 -- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked five individuals-including three officials from the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA)-for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.5 lakh to allow a vessel to sail from the port two years ago.

According to the CBI's FIR, the bribe was paid by the vessel's protective agent, which is a multinational firm with its Indian office in Chennai. The vessel's officials were told that a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from the official, A Pal, was needed before the vessel could depart. He allegedly demanded a bribe of $6,000 (approximately Rs.5 lakh) to issue the clearance.

The complaint, filed by the Chief Vigilance Officer of MbPA, states that the vessel was scheduled to move...