Many well-known politicians, businessmen and Bollywood actors who apparently bought premium range imported cars which were stolen from European countries are likely to not only lose the money they paid for the cars, but also the cars.
Several people in the know told DNA that the buyers have little chance of getting the cars, if they are indeed stolen, back.
Senior customs lawyers Sunjay Kantawala said that if it was proved that the vehicles purchased were indeed smuggled into the country — imported without paying customs duty — the buyer will have to pay a penalty as well as fine. Also, the car will be confiscated. “If the car is a stolen vehicle, the foreign insurance company will most likely track it as the original owner will have filed a claim. Also, if it is proved in court that the owner had a conscious knowledge about the theft and yet he purchased the car, he will be prosecuted.”
Kantawala also said the customs would generally serve a show cause notice to the present owners of these vehicles within 6 months. Since the issue concerns well-known buyers, most dealers and sellers refused to comment on-the-record.
A dealer of a reputed foreign brand from the city told DNA that buyers usually make such purchases because delivery is quick and the amount paid is also considerably lower. “The waiting time for well-known brands is more than a year as such vehicles are typically made to order. So, buyers who do not want to wait for long and feel tempted by the low price of the vehicle, enter into such deals.” The dealer also claimed that the authorised dealers do not feel any competitive pressure from such dealers. “Serious buyers who do not want to take risks, always come to authorised dealers. Also, genuine purchases come with the promise of post-sale service too,” he said.
Another personality well-known in the automobile industry for articulating the car owners cause told DNA that there are even some authorised dealers who enter into irregular deals with buyers.
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