Surat Trader Held in Rs.31.48 Crore Walnut Import Fraud Probe

Surat | Gujarat — A massive customs fraud investigation has exposed an alleged international import racket involving forged shipping documents, fake declarations and the wrongful availing of duty exemptions, leading to an estimated loss of more than ₹31.48 crore to the Government exchequer.

The Central Intelligence Unit (CIU) of Jawaharlal Nehru Custom House (JNCH), Nhava Sheva, has arrested Surat-based businessman Sneh Dipakbhai Kakadiya, who investigators describe as the alleged mastermind behind a scheme that falsely declared imported walnuts from China, the United States and Chile as products of Afghanistan to secure duty exemptions under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement.

According to a transit remand application filed before a Surat court, customs officials uncovered evidence suggesting that 43 consignments imported through Jawaharlal Nehru Port were cleared using allegedly forged documents and fabricated transit records to create the appearance that the goods originated in Afghanistan.

Investigators claim searches conducted at a Mumbai-based logistics firm led to the recovery of incriminating records, including allegedly forged transit Bills of Lading showing cargo movement through Iran and the UAE. Subsequent verification through Dubai Customs authorities reportedly revealed that the actual country of origin of the walnuts was China, the USA and Chile.

“The investigation has revealed the use of forged supporting documents and false declarations to wrongfully claim customs duty exemptions,” the remand application states.

A key witness in the case, Chirag Chamaria, proprietor of M/s Swastik International, allegedly told investigators that he lacked the financial capacity and expertise to conduct such high-value imports and claimed that his firm’s Import Export Code (IEC) was used as a front entity. He further alleged that Kakadiya and his associates controlled financing, procurement, customs clearance and sales operations, while he acted only as a nominal proprietor for fixed remuneration.

Customs authorities have also cited financial transactions worth several crores routed through multiple entities, which they allege indicate a layered arrangement designed to conceal the identities of the actual beneficiaries and financiers.

The remand application further alleges that electronic evidence, including mobile phone records, WhatsApp chats and emails relevant to the investigation, was removed from the witness’s possession. Allegations of threats and intimidation against the witness and his family have also been recorded.

Customs officials have invoked provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, alleging offences related to duty evasion, false declarations and use of forged documents. Investigators are seeking custodial interrogation to trace the financial trail, identify additional beneficiaries and uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.

The court has been requested to grant transit remand to enable the accused to be produced before the jurisdictional court in Uran, Raigad district, Maharashtra, where the main investigation is being conducted.

It is important to note that the allegations form part of the investigation and are yet to be tested before a court of law.