Date:05/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070554041300.htm

National

Customs seizes two Reliance planes

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: The Customs seized here on Friday two planes of the Reliance group of Mukesh Ambani for alleged evasion of duty but released them later, said a highly placed officer of the Air Intelligence Unit.

The Airbus 319 and Falcon 900 were given back for maintenance only. The group will not be able to fly them. Customs sources said the group’s Reliance Commercial Developers Pvt. Ltd. was listed as non-scheduled operators but put the planes to private and personal use.

The non-scheduled operators get up to 15 per cent concession in the import duty unlike the private owners.

A Reliance Industries spokesman admitted that there were queries from the Customs Department about the aircraft. “As a matter of routine procedure it had sent notices to several non-scheduled operators.” “The two aircraft of Reliance Commercial Developers Pvt. Ltd. aircrafts were detained and handed back to the company thereafter. Reliance is fully complying with all procedures as notified by the concerned authorities,” he added.

PTI reports:

On June 26 the department had issued a show cause notice to the firm demanding duty of over Rs. 57 crore.

“The Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) Delhi has issued a show cause notice to Reliance Commercial Developers demanding duty of Rs. 57,42,63,453 on import of aircraft, Airbus 319,” the spokesperson said.