Cadbury India probed over R213-cr tax evasion charge

“Two cases of tax evasion by Cadbury India Ltd have been detected by the Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence during the years 2009-10 to 2012-13 up to October 31, 2012,” the minister said in reply to a question in the Upper House.

The minister said investigation was progressing in the alleged R200-crore central excise duty evasion by Cadbury India at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh. Cadbury India said the company was fully cooperating with authorities. The company said since the probe was under way, it would be inappropriate on its part to discuss details at this juncture.

In the other case involving alleged service tax evasion of R13.43 crore, a demand of R11.75 crore was confirmed along with a penalty of equal amount. A sum of R12.08 crore tax with R0.53 crore interest was already realised, the minister said.

Cadbury is also facing another probe by the authorities to decide whether Kraft needed to pay taxes arising from its $19-billion takeover of Cadbury.

In reply to a separate question, Palanimanickam said authorities have examined actor Saif Ali Khan in connection with the ownership of an imported Toyota Land Cruiser for “appropriate action,” under the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

The government said in August

... contd.