Chartered plane in DRI tax net

TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

VASCO: In a dramatic incident on Tuesday night, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths detained a chartered plane for allegedly being operated without clearing Custom duties and taxes amounting to over Rs 50 crore at Dabolim airport.

The incident took place shortly after the chartered ‘Gulf Stream 500 N650PL’ flight arrived from Dubai along with passengers at around 9.30 pm at Dabolim airport.

Moments after the passengers alighted, DRI sleuths detained the plane and began investigations.

Revealing details, DRI officials told Herald that the US-registered plane was illegally brought to India without clearing customs and other taxes.

Incidentally, the plane is being operated in India since the last two years by a private company, without paying taxes and custom duties.

Acting on a tip-off from its Mumbai counterparts, the Goa unit of DRI seized the Rs 270 crore aircraft under the Customs Act 1962.

“We have not worked out actual Customs dues and other taxes, but it appears that it could exceed Rs 50 crore”, added the officer.

The aircraft has been detained and the Airports Authority of India has been directed to take custody of it till further action.