Customs evasion on imported cars continues: Minister

"Sixteen number of imported luxury cars have been seized in the country during the recent past between April 2011 to July 2011. They are valued at Rs.6.75 crore and involve evasion of duty of Rs.4.87 crore," said S.S. Palanimanickam, Minister of State for Finance, in written reply to the Lok Sabha.

According to the minister, all customs points across the country have been sensitised and alerted to prevent smuggling of imported cars into the country. "Action under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, has been initiated against the importers," he added.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has been conducting  a countrywide crackdown on imported car dealers and users and a major racket was busted in Delhi. The cars, which include high-end brands such as Bentleys and Aston Martins, were allegedly brought into the country by some dealers without payment of custom duties.

Diplomats of some Asian countries stationed in New Delhi were also suspected of being involved in the racket as some of the seized vehicles were brought into the country in the name of these officials for their use.