CBI raids multiple places in Kolkata, Cochin over import of e-waste

Kolkata: Officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids at 12 places in Kolkata and Cochin in connection with a case in which false valuation report for importing multi-functional digital printers and copying machines (MFDs) were prepared.

The CBI officers have conducted the raids on Thursday in the offices and houses of as many as 8 people whose names have cropped up in the case. The CBI officers have seized around 190 documents from the different offices during the raid.

It may be mentioned that the case was registered earlier under section 120B read with 420 of the Indian Penal Code and section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Jimmy Joseph, Assistant Commissioner, Bindu, Superintendent, R Ratheesh, Inspector or Preventive Officer, Customs CFS Pettah at Ernakulam in Kerala.

Raids were conducted in the houses and offices of these people. At the same time, raids were also conducted in the office of Ketan Kamdar, the owner of the Kolkata based private firm.

Kamdar is the owner of the Atul Automotion (Private) Limited whose office is situated on Rammoy Road.

As per the allegation, the accused persons had entered into criminal conspiracy to import used MFDs by violating e-waste rules, foreign trade policy and compulsory registration order.

Moreover, false valuation report of the consignment was prepared and the officials had allegedly played a role in it. The false valuation report was prepared to release the consignment for sale in open market, which is also illegal as MFDs can be imported only for direct re-use.