Octroi evasion of Rs 58 lakh on high-end cars unearthed

The police have unearthed alleged octroi evasion to the tune of Rs 58 lakh on high-end cars in Thane district, a crime branch official said today.
According to the police, the scam allegedly involved buyers of high-end cars, RTO agents and management of automobile showrooms who register the foreign-make SUVs and other high-end cars using fraudulent residential address in Bhiwandi.
"Nine cases were registered in Thane Nagar police station against more than 50 people in this regard last evening under various sections of the IPC," said the Crime Branch (Thane unit) Senior Police Inspector Devidas Gevare.
The police had in October 2015 booked secretary of controversial self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa for allegedly evading the tax on an imported car by giving a false address of Kongaon village in Bhiwandi, as the entry tax in rural areas is lesser than in urban areas.

The vehicles involved in the racket are Range Rover, BMW, Audi, Mercedez Benz etc., the police officer said.