Reliance aircraft import under customs scanner

NEW DELHI: Aircraft imports have come under the scanner of the customs department that has seized two aircraft of Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Commercial Dealers for alleged evasion of duty. While the aircraft which were provisionally attached have been returned to the company, it has been issued a show-cause notice of Rs 57.42 crore.

���It is clarified that the commissioner of customs (preventive) Delhi has issued show-cause notice to Reliance Commercial Developers demanding duty of Rs 57.42 crore on import of aircraft, Airbus 319. It has been alleged that the aircraft was imported for private use in the guise of non-scheduled operator (passenger) permit. Two aircraft were seized by Mumbai Air Customs on 3-7-2008 and these has been provisionally been released to the party today,��� a CBEC spokesperson said.

Reacting to the charges, Reliance said in a statement: ���The authorities concerned (customs department) as a matter of routine procedure have sent out notices to several non-scheduled operators. As a part of this routine procedure, two of Reliance Commercial Developer aircraft were detained and handed back to the company thereafter. Reliance is fully complying with all procedures as notified by the authorities concerned.���