In a major crackdown on customs-related corruption and export fraud, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR against four Customs officials stationed at Chennai Air Cargo Complex.Â
The case involves the alleged facilitation of the export of counterfeit gold jewellery valued at approximately ₹487 crore, aimed at illegally claiming Customs duty refunds. These officials are also accused of receiving bribes totaling ₹6.99 crore in exchange for their involvement.
According to the FIR, an in-depth investigation revealed that several exporters, in collusion with the accused Customs officials, orchestrated a large-scale fraud by exporting fake jewellery in place of genuine imported gold. The primary motive was to exploit the Customs duty refund mechanism, which offers tax benefits on the export of imported goods.
The CBI alleges that the fraud involved gold bullions imported into India being diverted and sold in the domestic market rather than used for legitimate export purposes. To cover their tracks and claim Customs duty refunds, the exporters exported jewellery that was not made of gold but of base metals, such as copper, with a gold plating.
The scam came to light in 2022 when the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted one such suspicious consignment. Subsequent investigations pointed towards a systematic operation involving both exporters and corrupt Customs officials.
Specifically, the FIR names Customs Superintendent J. Suresh Kumar, who allegedly facilitated the export of 7,38,981.8 grams of fake jewellery valued at ₹299.52 crore. Another Customs Superintendent, Alok Shukla, is accused of allowing exports worth ₹38.87 crore, while Appraiser N. Samuel Deepak Avinash reportedly cleared fake shipments valued at more than ₹149 crore. Additionally, Customs Superintendent P. Thulasi Ram has been implicated in the case.
The DRI’s inquiry further revealed that exporters paid bribes at the rate of ₹50 per gram of fake jewellery cleared for export. Cumulatively, this amounted to roughly ₹5.99 crore in illicit payments to Customs personnel.
Alongside the Customs officials, four exporters and jewellers — Deepak Siroya, Santosh Kothari, Sunil Parmar, and Sunil Sharma — as well as Customs House Agent A. Mariappan, have also been named in the FIR as accused.
The CBI’s action underscores a major effort to clamp down on systemic corruption within the Customs department and address fraudulent practices that result in significant revenue loss to the exchequer.
Investigation is ongoing as the CBI proceeds to gather further evidence and initiate prosecution against all those involved in the sophisticated export scam.
Read More: Penalty Not Sustainable Once Tax Dues Paid Before Show-Cause Notice: CESTAT
