Kanpur: The incharge Special Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kanpur Nagar, on Thursday granted 14 days’ judicial custody remand of Ajay , who was arrested by the CGST and Central Excise Commissionerate in connection with alleged cess evasion of more than Rs20 crore.
Businessman Arrested for Tax Evasion Exceeding Rs20 Crore
Ajay was arrested by Rajul Nagar on allegations of evading cess payments totaling more than Rs20 crore. The accused reportedly conducted his business operations from Ravidaspuram, Gujaini, and Mardanpur. Following his arrest, Ajay was brought before the court on September 12.
The investigation officer, Rajul Nagar, superintendent, CGST and Central Excise Commissionerate, had moved an application through Special Prosecution Officer Ambarish Tandon, seeking 14 days’ custody remand for further investigation. In its order, the court observed that there were sufficient grounds to allow the custody remand application and accordingly granted judicial custody for 14 days. The accused has been directed to be produced before the court through video conferencing on Oct 1.
Tandon said this was the first arrest under the HSNS Act in the state. He added that the prosecution had also sought permission from the court for the investigation officer to interrogate Ajay in jail. The court permitted the interrogation.
As per the order, the investigation officer will visit the jail on Friday to question the accused, Tandon said.
In Ajay’s case, the department calculated cess of around Rs1 crore per month, with three machines allegedly being operated at the premises. The department seized all three machines and took them into its custody.