The seizure of Mukesh Ambani’s aircrafts for alleged duty evasion could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Customs officials have told NDTV that the Civil Aviation Ministry has dashed off letters to 70 corporates across the country for the same offence.
Customs officials suspect them of evading duty worth a whopping Rs 3,800 crore on imported aircrafts and choppers since 2002.
Business houses who have been asked for an explanation include Ranbaxy, GMR, Indiabulls, Raymonds and Oberoi Hotels.
The officials also allege that the corporates evaded duty by importing aircrafts claiming they were would be put to commercial use. But later, they are diverted for personal use. This attracts duties that are 19 per cent higher.
This came to light after it was discovered that these aircrafts were barely operating passenger services despite saying they would.
Customs officials grew suspicious after noticing that the logbook of Director General of Civil Aviation did not show clear flight details of corporate aircrafts.
Now the Civil Aviation Ministry has also issued a directive to customs officials across the country to check whether corporate aircrafts are following the norms.
Sources also say that Reliance Industries – which has agreed to pay duty worth Rs 98 crore on its Airbus seized by the customs department – could face more charges.
The other aircraft which was grounded Falcon 900 could also be charged with Rs 40 crore duty evasion.