Bizwoman moves panel to claim jewellery, immunity from penalty

MUMBAI: Businesswoman Vihari Sheth, arrested for smuggling diamond-studded gold jewellery worth Rs 2.5 crore two years ago, has approached the settlement commission for release of the jewellery and also sought immunity from payment of fine, penalty and prosecution.
The basic objective of the settlement commission is to expedite payments of customs and excise duties involved in disputes by avoiding costly and time- consuming litigation process and to give those tax payers who may have evaded payment of duty a chance to come clean.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested her on July 31, 2013 after she arrived at the international airport and found that she had concealed the smuggled jewellery in her innerwear. She was subsequently released on bail after 59 days in judicial custody. DRI said Vihari had smuggled high-value jewellery, which was later sold in the domestic market in the city through a showroom owned by her uncle.Th DRI has however opposed her application, saying jewellery meant for personal use could not have been hidden in her innerwear.