Dri Launches Criminal Proceedings Against Pawan Sachdeva

Following the criminal proceedings initiated by the DRI, a metropolitan court took cognisance of the matter and issued summons against Sachdeva asking him to appear before the court on October 31.

DRI had alleged that Sachdevas M S Shoes group of companies misused the value based advance licenses (Vabal) which had been granted to them. During the course of investigations, DRI had sought his explanation regarding a number of deals for which notices had been issued to him. However, Sachdeva is said to have ignored the DRI notices on a number of occasions. Investigations into the case had come to a standstill following the reluctance of Sachdeva to make himself available for interrogation, said sources. We cannot complete the investigations till we have interrogated him, said a revenue department source.

Investigations, launched by the DRI early this year, had revealed that Sachdeva had imported goods on the basis of a number of Vabal licenses. It was later found that when the imports were made, the licences had expired. The total duty concession obtained is to the tune of about Rs 7 crore, said sources.

Sources said that the consignment of PVC resins which was imported without requisite licenses was seized by the DRI in January this year.

Even though the licence on which he was entitled to import on concessional duty has long expired, an attempt was being made to bring in a consignment and claim duty waiver, said an official. The DRI is believed to have informed the director general of foreign trade of the alleged violation.