CBI arrests car importer from Delhi for evading duty

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday night arrested a businessman, accused of importing luxurious cars in violation of rules for his high-profile patrons, from a five-star hotel in Delhi. He will be taken on a transit-remand to Tamil Nadu soon.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday night arrested a businessman, accused of importing luxurious cars in violation of rules for his high-profile patrons, from a five-star hotel in Delhi. He will be taken on a transit-remand to Tamil Nadu soon.

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In March last year, the CBI’s Chennai unit had lodged a case against Alex C Joseph, a senior Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officer and others on the basis of information that luxury cars were imported in violation of rules causing a loss to the tune of Rs48 crore to the exchequer.

After lodging the case, the Central Bureau of Investigation had conducted searches at 18 places in Tamil Nadu and seized 33 imported luxury cars on charges of pre-import and post-import violations.

The searches were conducted on the premises of industrialists and prominent personalities, including DMK leader MK Stalin and his elder brother and former Union minister MK Alagiri.

One of the cars allegedly imported by Joseph was bought by Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi.

After the agency issued a notice asking him to produce the car, a Hummer, alleged to be in his possession, Udhayanidhi came with the vehicle and appeared for quizzing at the CBI’s anti-corruption branch.

“Alex was arrested by us from a hotel on Saturday night. He will be taken to Chennai soon for grilling."

“He is accused of violating import rules and furnishing false information," said a CBI source.