DRI seizures: Indore bench of MP high court rejects Bhalla’s bail plea

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court has rejected the bail application of Prestige Polymer Ltd managing director Manish Bhalla whose consignments containing unathorised firecrackers and other goods were seized by directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) in Pithampur last month.

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court has rejected the bail application of Prestige Polymer Ltd managing director Manish Bhalla whose consignments containing unathorised firecrackers and other goods were seized by directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) in Pithampur last month.

DRI also seized high-end dietary supplements and muscle-building food worth Rs 2.50 crore which were declared as stationery items from Dubai (Pic for representation)

The bench of Justice J K Jain rejected the bail plea in an order passed on November 10 whose copy was received on Thursday.

Bhalla, a resident of Delhi, who is still under judicial custody, was arrested on October 5 after a DRI team recorded his statements at Indore office in connection with the offence. He applied for bail at the district court which was rejected. After that he moved the HC and through his counsel told the court that the DRI had no powers to arrest him and that SEZ (special economic zone) Act has an overriding effect.

DRI through its counsel produced before the court a government notification issued on August 5, 2016, which gives powers to DRI, directorate general of central excise intelligence, and customs officials to book cases under SEZ Act and make arrests.

Meanwhile, DRI sleuths opened two more containers imported by Delhi-based company Prestige Polymer Ltd at Inland Container Deport at Kheda near Pithampur in the last two days. The scrutiny of containers was on till the filing of this report.

11 containers belonging to the company seized in last one month

Over 11 containers belonging to the company have been seized in last one month which contained goods other than what was declared by the company. Of more than nine containers seized till October 3, three containers had China-made firecrackers worth Rs 3.78 crore which were shown as containing adhesive tapes. Imported firecrackers are a restricted item for which a special permit is required which the company did not have.

In addition, DRI also seized high-end dietary supplements and muscle-building food worth Rs 2.50 crore which were declared as stationery items from Dubai. Apart from that, LED TV accessories, chemicals etc were seized which were also mis-declared by the company, sources said. The company has been allotted land at SEZ in Pithampur where the DRI team found no proper facility to conduct the trade.