Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) has brought nine firms under investigation on charges of evading value added tax (VAT) and one firm for not paying customs duty while importing sugar.
The DRI brought Curtier Currier Pvt Ltd under its investigation for avoiding VAT by making fake receipts and amounts and entering them into the database of the Inland Revenue Office (IRO).
The DRI has released its proprietor Pawan Kishor Rathi on bail of Rs. 6.22 million. Usha International, Siddhartha Shakti Enter-prises and New Siddhartha Enterprises are also under investigation on similar charges. Auditor Thalman Subedi who worked for these firms was released on bail of Rs. 3.61 million, DRI officials informed. A senior official said DRI has put government employees under investigation for their possible role in the tax evasion.
Another five firms including Devithan Nirman Sewa is also under DRI investigation. Purusottam Parajuli who was involved with these firms is also in custody. As per the initial investigation, these firms have been found to have evaded tax worth Rs. 200,000, according to DRI.
Likewise, the DRI unit in Butwal seized three trucks carrying 52.5 tons of sugar on charges of evading customs duty. The trucks were transporting sugar from India for Laxmi Enterprises a firm based in Malangawa, Sarlahi.
DRI has detained drivers and person travelling in the truck for investigation. DRI officials said that it demanded bail of Rs. 2.63 million from Dharmendra Chaudhary.