Balajis seek stay on excise proceedings

Balaji Group has filed a writ petition in the Gujarat High Court seeking a stay on further central excise proceedings in a tax evasion case.

Central excise officials of Rajkot carried out search operations at two units of the group located at Metoda and Vad Vajdi villages and discovered tax evasion to the tune of Rs 5.84 crore.

Speaking to Business Standard, Chandubhai Virani, managing director of Balaji Wafers Pvt Ltd, claimed that not a single 'namkeen' manufacturing company in the country had ever been put under the scanner of the central excise department and not a single firm engaged in the business had ever been registered as it was not mandatory. Then why only we are being targeted and slapped with a fine? he asked.

"We have been compelled to challenge the actions of the central excise department in the court of law," added Patel.

The group has engaged Sudhir Nanavati, senior advocate of Gujarat High Court to fight the case.