New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) A gutkha pouch manufacturer, arrested for evading excise duty, has been granted bail by a Delhi court on the condition that he would deposit Rs 30 lakh as penalty with the Central Excise and Customs Department.
“In the facts and circumstances, I find that applicant (accused) deserves to be granted bail particularly where there is no antecedents (of wrongdoing) against him,” Additional Sessions Judge J R Aryan said.
The court, however, stipulated that Rakesh Kumar Chaudhary would deposit Rs 30 lakh with the Excise Department.
The court ordered his release, after deposition of the fine, on a personal bond of Rs 25,000 with one surety of the same amount.
Chaudhary, owner of Shiv Flavours firm, was arrested by the department for evading excise duty to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore in manufacturing gutkha pouches with brand name ”No Entry”.
He was arrested on May 3, 2011 on the basis of an information that he was carrying out the manufacturing activity in a premises in Sant Nagar village area near Burari in North Delhi.
According to prosecution, six machines were found installed in the factory for manufacturing and production of gutkha pouches and the unit was not registered with the Excise Department.
