CVC probes Rs 580-crore alleged excise duty evasion by Cadbury

CVC sources said on Tuesday the anti-corruption watchdog is also looking into the role of central and state government officials who might have facilitated the alleged evasion.

An investigation has been started by the Commission in the case, they said, adding some documents have also been sought from the company.

There are allegations that certain government officials might have helped the company in allegedly evading the excise duty, the sources said.

It is the second big case being probed by the CVC involving a foreign private company. 

US-retail giant Wal-Mart has come under the scanner of the CVC amid allegations that it gave bribes to government officials to get customs clearances and obtain permits to set up stores in India.

A Mondelez India spokesperson said today they will cooperate with all the authorities concerned.

A demand of about Rs 580 crore was raised last year against Mondelez India Foods Pvt Ltd, erstwhile Cadbury India Ltd, for allegedly evading excise duty by fraudulently taking exemption for one of its ‘ghost’ production units in Himachal Pradesh’s Baddi area.