CBI conducts searches at around 35 locations in an on-going investigation of Gutkha scam case

NP NEWS NETWORK

NEW DELHI

The Central Bureau of Investigation has today conducted searches at around 35 locations including Chennai, Thiruvallur, Tuticorin, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Mumbai & Guntur in an on-going investigation relating to Gutkha scam case. The places searched are residential premises of the Promoters/Directors of the Company and other public servants including officials of Sales Tax Department, Customs & Central Excise, Food Safety & Drug Administration Department and jurisdictional Police officials.

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CBI had registered the case on the orders of the Hon’ble High Court of Madras dated 26.04.2018.  The High Court had directed CBI to conduct an investigation into all aspects of the offense of alleged illegal manufacture, import, supply, distribution & sale of Gutkha and other forms of chewable tobacco which are banned in the State of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

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It was alleged that one private company based in Tamil Nadu was in the business of manufacturing & sale of Gutkha and other chewable tobacco products since 2011.  Subsequently, production & sale of Gutkha was banned in May 2013.  During the period when the ban was in force, the Promoters/Directors of the said company allegedly paid bribes to regulatory authorities and continued with the business of manufacturing and selling of Gutkha products illicitly.