Adani Group MD arrested in duty evasion case

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Central Bureau of Investigation today said it has arrested Rajesh Adani, Managing Director of Adani Enterprises, a part of the Rs 26,000 crore Adani group, on charges of evasion of customs duty to the tune of Rs 80 lakh.

"CBI arrested Rajesh Adani, one of the directors of the Adani Exports (now named Adani Enterprises)," agency spokesperson Harsh Bahal told PTI, adding that the anti- corruption branch of CBI Goa had registered a case against him and nine customs officials.

The case was also registered against Adani Exports and Ganesh Benjoplast. Adani was arrested yesterday from Ahmedabad and would be produced before a magistrate for a transit remand for taking him to Goa.

"Adani had in the year 2006-07 imported naptha, a petroleum product, and did not pay customs duty in Goa," CBI Joint Director (Western Region) Rishiraj Singh told PTI in Mumbai.

A case was registered in January 2008 by the Goa Anti-Corruption Bureau of the CBI.

The CBI is looking into whether any other employees of the diversified group are also involved.

No immediate comments could be obtained from Adani group spokesperson could be obtained.

Rajesh is younger brother of group chairamn Gautam Adani, who recently completed a successful Initial Public Offer of another group company Adani Power.

The Adani Group deals with commodities trading, distribution of natural gas and port operations.