The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has approached the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to arrest partner of the Bawan Shah Group, who is likely to be hiding in Dubai. The CBR spokesman on Wednesday hinted at the possibility of involvement of tax officials in the export scam.
The board is of the view that it had decided 'on its own' to hand over duty and taxes evasion case under Duty and Tax Remission for Export (DTRE) scheme to NAB for further investigations to take it to its logical end. "NAB had never asked or shown any intention to take over this case", the spokesman said.
The CBR decided to hand over the case to NAB with the sole objective that every body, irrespective of his status and connections, is dealt even-handedly and the case is decided purely on merit at the earliest, the spokesman said.
Moreover, the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence, on the basis of available information, facts and figures, gathered from the seized containers of the Group, carried out investigations and arrested the main accused Raja Muhammad Zaraat, chairman, Bawan Shah Group of Companies in May last.
The CBR also approached Interpol for arresting another partner of the Bawan Shah Group, who is on ECL and presently probably residing in Dubai. The CBR has also successfully tackled all attempts of Raja Zaraat, the principal accused in the case, for his release from jail. The CBR had also suspended eight officers/officials of the customs department, who were found involved and further investigations against them are underway.