The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) 'visited' the Nokia facility at Sripermbudur, near Chennai on Wednesday. The development comes at a time when Microsoft is in the process of completing acquisition of Nokia, including its Chennai facility.
While several attempts to contact the Additional Director General, DRI, in Chennai failed, Nokia India's spokesperson confirmed the development.
Nokia spokesperson in an email said, "Nokia can confirm that its Indian facilities were visited by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Wednesday. Nokia extended its full cooperation to the authorities, duly responding to all queries raised and extending its full support to help them during their visit".
A Nokia official said it was not a raid since no warrant was issued. It was just a "visit". Both the spokesperson and the official refused to share any details.
Nokia's factory, which is the largest for the company in the world, last year was caught in legal battle between Nokia and the Indian Tax (IT) department over alleged tax evasion. Assets of Nokia, including Chennai factory, were frozen leaving uncertainty around the transfer of the factory to Microsoft.However, the court allowed Nokia to transfer the factory and its other assets with certain conditions.
In Sept 2013, Microsoft entered into an agreement with Nokia to acquire its mobile device business without conditions in a $7.3 billion deal. Microsoft agreed to buy Nokia's mobile phone business, including the brand and manufacturing facilities.
