Mumbai woman detained for carrying diamonds in Kochi

KOCHI: A woman from Maharashtra was detained at the Cochin International Airport for carrying diamonds without documents to be sold in Kerala.

 According to Income Tax Department officers, a Thane native identified as Madhavi Pawse was intercepted at the domestic terminal after a tip-off she was carrying diamonds and diamond-studded ornaments along with her without any papers. 

Preliminary interrogation revealed she had been carrying real diamonds and American diamonds for sale in Kochi. The Commercial Tax sleuths who inspected the contraband confirmed she was carrying diamonds worth Rs 22 lakh. She told officers she was taking the consignment to M G Road to be sold. However, there was no clarity in her statements about the source of the contraband and who are the targeted customers, said officers. 

Further, there were no documents concerning the consignment in her possession like e-bill or the declaration form named GST KER 1. After detaining the consignment, the officers issued a asking her to produce the necessary documents.  It has been learnt the Commercial Tax officers have agreed to release the diamonds if she produces the documents or pays a fine of Rs 1.3 lakh as per the new GST billing. 

Deputy Commissioner (Intelligence) Shivankutty of the Commercials Tax Department said the detention of the consignment was as per the provisions of the new GST regime. The state Goods and Services Tax central zone has strengthened vigil following reports about how traders are reluctant to pass on the benefit of the new tax regime to customers, he said.