Jaipur, Mar 20: The CBI and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) jointly raided the customs office of Jaipur International Airport on Tuesday on suspicion of a major racket involved in duty evasion.
Several documents were seized on the basis of complaints that some customs officers were helping several importers of semi-precious stones in evading customs duty by showing imports on reduced rates. CBI officials said that the scam may run into crores of rupees.
CBI DSP Sanjay Sharma said that complaints were received against certain customs officers that they were hand-in-glove with some jewellers who import semi-precious stones from countries like China.
The officer added that the scam was going on at least for the past one year. It could be a case of embezzlement of crores of rupees, the officer said.
The investigating agencies however refused to disclose the names of the customs officers and the importers involved in the scam.
"There are six customs superintendents and six customs inspectors. We are yet to ascertain exactly who all are involved in the scam and who not. Besides, the importers are also being identified," the officer added.
The agencies are yet to lodge an FIR in the matter. "We are collecting evidence. The cases will be lodged soon," a CBI officer said.
Jaipur has a big market for semi-precious stones. They are imported raw from countries like China, Africa, Sri Lanka and Mangolia. Their quality is improved in Jaipur by their precise cutting and polishing. They are then exported to all over the world, especially Europe.
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