<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday gave two weeks time to the Union government to file its response to a plea for a CBI probe into the alleged duty evasion by some companies in exporting iron ore to China since 2015. </p>.<p>A bench presided over by Chief Justice N V Ramana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to file a reply to the petition filed by advocate M L Sharma saying, "If it (the allegations) is true then it is a serious matter, which we need to look into." </p>.<p>As Mehta sought two weeks' time, the bench put the matter for consideration three weeks later.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/sc-expresses-displeasure-over-delay-in-cbi-ed-cases-against-mps/mlas-1023405.html" target="_blank">SC expresses displeasure over delay in CBI, ED cases against MPs/MLAs</a></strong></p>.<p>During the hearing, the bench asked the petitioner-cum-lawyer, Sharma, to show the extent of tax evasion, saying he has to make specific averments and not implead 65 parties to the petition.</p>.<p>In his plea, Sharma sought the court's direction for prosecution of the companies for allegedly evading export duty by declaring a wrong tariff code to export the iron ore under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. </p>.<p>He alleged that iron ore “smuggling to China” has been taking place as these companies have been exporting them without paying the 30 per cent export duty. </p>.<p>He also claimed there was a violation of the Customs Act, the COFEPOSA, the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act and certain penal provisions relating to cheating and forgery.</p>
<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday gave two weeks time to the Union government to file its response to a plea for a CBI probe into the alleged duty evasion by some companies in exporting iron ore to China since 2015. </p>.<p>A bench presided over by Chief Justice N V Ramana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to file a reply to the petition filed by advocate M L Sharma saying, "If it (the allegations) is true then it is a serious matter, which we need to look into." </p>.<p>As Mehta sought two weeks' time, the bench put the matter for consideration three weeks later.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/sc-expresses-displeasure-over-delay-in-cbi-ed-cases-against-mps/mlas-1023405.html" target="_blank">SC expresses displeasure over delay in CBI, ED cases against MPs/MLAs</a></strong></p>.<p>During the hearing, the bench asked the petitioner-cum-lawyer, Sharma, to show the extent of tax evasion, saying he has to make specific averments and not implead 65 parties to the petition.</p>.<p>In his plea, Sharma sought the court's direction for prosecution of the companies for allegedly evading export duty by declaring a wrong tariff code to export the iron ore under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. </p>.<p>He alleged that iron ore “smuggling to China” has been taking place as these companies have been exporting them without paying the 30 per cent export duty. </p>.<p>He also claimed there was a violation of the Customs Act, the COFEPOSA, the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act and certain penal provisions relating to cheating and forgery.</p>
