Another Corporate Czar in Customs' net – walks through Green Channel with goods worth over Rs 20 Lakhs
IN a couple of hours, this news is going to be all over the place. Based on DRI intelligence, the Delhi IGI Airport Customs last evening arrested another high-profile corporate czar for carrying high-value dutiable goods in baggage but not declaring the same to the Customs. The Chairman of the Jai Bharat Maruti Group, Mr. SK Arya was arrested by the Customs on the alleged charges of smuggling in dutiable goods and walking through the Green Channel without making any declaration. Mr Arya was returning from London with his wife and daughter who have been let off after the Customs decided to arrest him. He will be produced before the Magistrate today.
Mr Arya was intercepted by the Customs acting on specific intelligence after he walked through the Green Channel and was about to exit the Customs area. When his baggage was examined, it was found to contain very expensive wrist watches, expensive perfumes and cosmetics worth Rs 20 lakhs. When TIOL spoke to the Customs, it was told that on a conservative estimate the value has been pegged to Rs 20 lakhs and it would be more if one goes by the VAT refund collected in UK.
The high value shoppers in Europe's posh malls should realise that when they claim VAT refunds at Airports , the Indian Customs comes to know about it and they simply cannot fool the Customs by slipping away through the Green Channel. Something like this happened last year when Amitabh Bachan tried something similar. And it requires tremendous courage for the poor Customs officers to actually check the undeclared baggage of the rich and powerful, especially during this troubled times. One small complaint; and their career is at risk.