The Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench, has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the illegal smuggling of areca nuts in Mizoram. The decision follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist and social worker Vanramchhuangi on April 29, 2024.
The petitioner, Vanramchhuangi, accused the Mizoram government of inaction in curbing the smuggling of dry areca nuts from Myanmar through the Champhai District. She argued that this inaction has harmed local growers, as smugglers evade import duties, allowing them to undercut local prices. The court’s decision came in light of evidence suggesting the issuance of forged e-way bills by state GST authorities, despite no reported areca nut production in the region during the specified periods.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that while the Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Mizoram, reported a total areca nut production of 33,540 metric tons (MT) in 2019-2020, the Directorate of Arecanut & Spices Development (DASD) reported only 10,840 MT for the same period, with no production in Champhai District. Additionally, affidavits from various respondents indicated discrepancies in the issuance of e-way bills and the actual production of areca nuts in Mizoram.
The court’s scrutiny extended to affidavits submitted by the Customs (Preventive) Division, which documented numerous seizures of smuggled areca nuts from 2017-2018 to June 2022. Despite these seizures, the state police failed to register the petitioner’s FIR, citing non-cognizable offenses. The petitioner countered this by highlighting that offenses involving fake GST invoices fall under cognizable sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), such as Sections 420, 468, and 120.
The court’s order mandates the CBI to investigate the smuggling allegations, focusing on the issuance of fake e-way bills and GST certificates.
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