[ad_1]
NEW DELHI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has unearthed an imported luxury car racket involving foreign diplomats in Delhi. The agency has seized six cars from various cities and arrested three persons so far, including the CEO of a car dealership in Gurgaon.
The investigation has revealed the involvement of more players in this racket. “It is estimated that more than 20 luxury vehicles have been smuggled into India in the name of diplomats over the past five years, resulting in duty evasion of more than Rs 25 crore,” the DRI claimed on Friday.
As per privileges enjoyed by foreign missions and diplomats, import of cars by them was fully exempted from Customs duty. Indians or any other person would otherwise have to pay a duty of 204% which included basic customs duty of 125%, IGST of 28% and 12.5% surcharge.
“The DRI has uncovered a luxury car smuggling racket involving the use of diplomatic privileges,” the agency said. These cars once imported in the name of foreign diplomats were diverted to businessmen in different cities evading duty. The agency conducted simultaneous searches in seven cities earlier this week on people involved in the racket.
The agency has identified a Dubai-based individual as the kingpin of the racket with a past history of Customs offences. He ‘arranged’ for all such ‘imports’ into India from the UK, Japan and UAE in the names of diplomats.
“The buyers for the vehicles would be identified by the CEO of a popular chain dealing in the sale of pre-owned luxury cars. Upon arrival in India, these vehicles would be directly ferried to the city of the buyer or a dealer of luxury cars. The domestic registration for these vehicles would be done in certain specific Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab,” DRI said.
The investigation has revealed the involvement of more players in this racket. “It is estimated that more than 20 luxury vehicles have been smuggled into India in the name of diplomats over the past five years, resulting in duty evasion of more than Rs 25 crore,” the DRI claimed on Friday.
As per privileges enjoyed by foreign missions and diplomats, import of cars by them was fully exempted from Customs duty. Indians or any other person would otherwise have to pay a duty of 204% which included basic customs duty of 125%, IGST of 28% and 12.5% surcharge.
“The DRI has uncovered a luxury car smuggling racket involving the use of diplomatic privileges,” the agency said. These cars once imported in the name of foreign diplomats were diverted to businessmen in different cities evading duty. The agency conducted simultaneous searches in seven cities earlier this week on people involved in the racket.
The agency has identified a Dubai-based individual as the kingpin of the racket with a past history of Customs offences. He ‘arranged’ for all such ‘imports’ into India from the UK, Japan and UAE in the names of diplomats.
“The buyers for the vehicles would be identified by the CEO of a popular chain dealing in the sale of pre-owned luxury cars. Upon arrival in India, these vehicles would be directly ferried to the city of the buyer or a dealer of luxury cars. The domestic registration for these vehicles would be done in certain specific Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab,” DRI said.
[ad_2]
Source
