Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is investigating the role of two persons who allegedly made illegal entries by accessing Electronic Data Interface (EDI) system of customs at Inland Container Depot (ICD) Tughlakabad and fraudulently enhanced the value of customs registered scrips/ licences/authorisation issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and selling them to importers causing a loss to the exchequer to the tune of Rs42 crores.
According to a senior police official, the accused have been identified as Vinod Kumar Pathror and Sharafat Hussain, residents of Palam extension and New Friends’ Colony respectively. Investigations have revealed that bogus and non-existent licences were entered into the system.
“EDI system is a computer system, developed by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (Ministry of Finance) to facilitate speedy clearance of imports and exports at various ports across India using ICES 1.5 software,” said the official.
During preliminary investigations by the special investigation and intelligence branch of customs, it came to light that the scrips/licences, values were enhanced by Vinod in connivance with Sharafat through the EDI system.
These were mainly used by various importers dealing with the import of paper utilising service of one common Customs House Agent (CHA) M/s Kirti Cargo. The customs clearance related work of this CHA firm was handled by the accused Sharafat Ali, who is also the ‘G’ card holder (person who clears transactions) of the firm.
CHAs are licensed to act as an agent for transaction of any business relating to the entry or departure of conveyances or the import or export of goods at a customs station. CHAs maintain detailed, itemised and up-to-date accounts, the official added.
“It was further found that Sharafat was also engaged in the sale and purchase of these forged scripts/licences to importers through his own firms zealous overseas, zealous international, Fibertech impex, Fiber Exim India,” said the official.
Customs duties paid by Sharafat by utilising such forged scrips/licences in the EDI system on behalf of various importers were later on realised by him from those importers through his own firms. For this purpose he used firm bills and debit notes.
For availing financial benefits accused Vinod also floated companies in the name of M/s Mahi international, Mahi Impex, Rudranesh International. Accused Sharafat would transfer a share of the illegal proceeds to the firms of Vinod.
“The quantum of fraud identified till date is around Rs42 crores and may exceed. The accused are absconding even though many summons have been issued to them under section 108 customs act”.
An FIR under section 66 IT act, 2000 and IPC sections of cheating and forgery was lodged with the EOW on September 19 against the accused and further investigations are on, the official said.