17 Imported luxury cars seized - CBI/DRI timing most unfortunate - PM
THE Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 in connection with a complaint that about 33 vehicles had been imported in Tamil Nadu and of these, certain vehicles are believed to have been imported and subsequently sold in violation of import provisions causing loss of up to Rs.48crores approx. to the exchequer.
The case has been registered against an importer and a Senior Intelligence officer of DRI who allegedly did not take any action even after identification of vehicles at the premises of certain users and unknown others. It appears that although the DRI launched a probe a couple of years ago, no action was taken to recover the tax evaded or confiscate the vehicles.
During the searches conducted 17 imported cars have been located and seized under Section 102 (3) Cr.PC.
Among the premises searched were the houses of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi's sons, M.K. Stalin and M.K. Alagiri, who was a Union Minister in the UPA government until a day earlier.
So as not to attribute these searches to any vendetta, the CBI in a press note mentions - “CBI wishes to clarify that the above operation was strictly in accordance with procedures and there was no intention whatsoever to target any particular individual.”
But the PM says the timing was most unfortunate. Is the DRI/CBI supposed to plan their raids according to the political climate? It is most unfortunate that the Prime Minister of the Country thinks that the raid by the premier investigation agency of the country is badly timed.