How DRI caught Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchans for alleged smuggling

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How DRI caught Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchans for alleged smuggling

AIT News Network

Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan MUMBAI. What Customs of Mumbai Airport could not do while Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan walked through the green channel from Mumbai International Airport with dutiable goods worth over Rs 1 Crore without paying any Customs duty, DRI has done by booking the duo for allegedly smuggling the dutiable goods in India as DGRI (Directorate-General of Revenue Intelligence) was acting on hard evidence against Bachchans.

Bachchans are said to have claimed VAT from VAT Counter at London’s Heathrow Airport on expensive goods purchased from Fashion and Designer Shops in London exported by them in April 2007 in their baggage to India on the strength of a declaration cum VAT refund form filed by them at London Airport. But after landing at Mumbai Airport Bachchans forgot to declare the said goods and considered the value of the said goods within their free allowance of Rs 25000/- and, therefore, confidently and innocently walked through the green channel.

What landed the duo in trouble was the evidence about the VAT refund of huge amount claimed by the duo in London received by DRI in India. Faced with the investigation and hard evidence; Bachchans had no option but to pay Customs duty of around Rs.36 Lakh alongwith the interest at the rate of 13 per cent. It was because of their celebrity status that the Bachchans were not arrested by DRI. Had there been another passenger; he would have been arrested for smuggling of expensive goods. But Bachchans are still to be slapped the show cause notice for penalty under Customs Act which is also equal to the customs duty involved in such cases.

Bachchans also failed to take any lesson from the case of a Delhi based Prominent Industrialist (who also incidentally happens to be a relative of Bachchans) who was arrested by DRI in 2004 on landing from London after crossing green channel with designer wear. He also claimed VAT refund of huge amount at Heathrow Airport. He had to remain behind the bars for several days and was bailed out by Delhi High Court.

But Bachchans are too busy to take care of their affairs. It is for their Secretaries to take care of their affairs. It is high time Bachchans should take their Customs duty payments seriously.

If the allegation of smuggling of imported goods above Rs 25 Lakhs is confirmed in adjudication proceedings under Customs Act; the importer of goods can also be prosecuted for smuggling by the Customs Department in a Court of Law.

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