Bangalore customs seize GMR aircraft as taxmen scan more corporate jets

10 July 2008

Mumbai: The preventive unit of the Bangalore customs commissionerate seized an aircraft owned by Bangalore-based GMR Group at HAL Airport on Monday night, extending the seizure of last week's seizure of two aircraft belonging to Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries to other corporates.

The Bangalore customs seized a Rs111-crore Dassault Falcon 2000 EX EASY aircraft, bearing registration number VT-VLN and belonging to GMR Aviation, for alleged violation of import rules to evade duty.

The aircraft, which came from Mumbai and landed at HAL Airport, was scheduled to depart to Istanbul the next day.

he authorities also seized aircraft belonging to the Oberois, India Bulls and has brought under scanner over 250 such planes acquired since 2007 to detect duty evasion.

Anybody found guilty of acquiring aircraft with duty exemption under Non-scheduled Operator Permit Scheme could be levied penalty up to five times the duty evasion, a finance ministry official said.

The eight-seater aircraft has all the amenities of a luxury plane. Last week, the customs department in Mumbai seized two aircraft - Airbus A-319 corporate jet and a 22-seater Falcon 900 - of Mukesh Ambani's RIL for alleged violation of import rules.