Reliable Group, which is believed to be selling cheap cigarettes, is being probed for evading hundreds of crores of duty, DGCEI said.
A Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI) team raiding the Reliable group owned by tobacco magnate Sikandar Hafiz Khan in Bhopal was in for an ugly surprise when it was attacked by a mob that snatched away incriminating documents belonging to Khan.
DGCEI said Reliable, which is believed to be selling cheap cigarettes, was being investigated for evading duty of hundreds of crore rupees.
“Our men were injured and we lost important documents. However, we have enough evidence to take the case forward. It’s a sad incident and necessary follow-up action is being ensured,” a senior DGCEI official told DNA.
“The assault [on five DGCEI officials by a mob of around 100] was well-planned. The motive was clear. They did not want investigations to continue,” the DGCEI official said.
What’s more disturbing is the fact that the mob included excise department officials. Excise inspector Ram Swaroop, who had been posted in Mandideep, has been arrested along with 10 others believed to be associated with Reliable.
Group owner Khan is an official job worker with a leading cigarette manufacture. “They are selling cigarette packs worth Rs17 for Rs7. These cigarettes are being manufactured illegally in after-work hours on the premises of front companies such as Lucky Tobacco,” the DGCEI official said.
However, a Reliable official alleged the DGCEI team obstructed workers offering prayers and even abused them.
DGCEI believes the group was evading duty to the tune of Rs50 lakh every day. “In the last five months since its existence, the company has evaded duty of over Rs75 crore,” the DGCEI official said.
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