Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 3: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested the owner of a Mumbai-based import company for allegedly evading customs duty worth Rs 7.7 crore by undervaluing and misdeclaring shipments of Chile-origin inshell walnuts.

Investigations revealed that Gayatri Exports, in collusion with Dubai-based Rasheeda Foodstuff Trading LLC, deliberately suppressed the true invoice values of nearly 611 metric tonnes of imported walnuts. Original invoices recovered from Chilean suppliers showed that prices were slashed by 50–70% through fraudulent invoices routed via the Dubai intermediary. This manipulation enabled the importer to pay only a fraction of the actual 100% customs duty applicable on inshell walnuts.

DRI officials also identified Rasheeda Gulamally, partner of the Dubai-based firm, as a prime conspirator. She was intercepted at Ahmedabad airport while attempting to travel to the UAE. Though her statements were recorded, officials said she failed to produce key documents such as invoices, contracts or bank statements, and instead tried to shift the blame onto her husband, Gulamally Husain, who has been evading repeated summons.

According to officials, the seized goods are liable for confiscation under Section 111 of the Customs Act, 1962. The accused also face penal action under Sections 132 and 135 for deliberate misdeclaration and duty evasion.