Car(e)worn Fardeen

After the death of his father Feroz Khan last week,Fardeen is now being investigated by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) forfraudulent import of a Land Cruiser. His SUV has now been impounded. Fardeen got a call from the EOW in connection with the car while he astending to his ailing father last week but even before he could send his car, hegot another call from somebody claiming to be from the Customs saying that theywanted to investigate his car and that it should be sent to Customs. WhenFardeen double-checked with EOW he was told that Customs had nothing to do withthe probe. It transpires that using the EOW investigation into his car, someonewas trying to extort money from the star. A total of 37 importedcars registered in Mumbai are under EOW scanner with owners of ten cars still tobe identified. Sources say that in addition they are also investigating twoprominent politicians in Mumbai. However, senior officers denied this. The Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai Police which began investigation intofraudulent import of high end cars following a Bombay high court order on theSushmita Sen case. The actress's Land Cruiser was found to havebeen imported misusing transfer of residency facility with the help of fakedocuments. This was done to evade the high duty running into hundreds ofthousands of rupees. EOW has since then filed a detailedaffidavit in the Bombay High Court opposing a bail application filed by caredealer Haren Chowksy, through whom at least eight of these cars were bought. Theaffidavit calls him 'the kingpin' of imported car racket. Theaffidavit, filed by PI VV Kanade of EOW stated: ���It is disclosed that theapplicant Haren Chowksy, is the prime accused car dealer, who is behind the saidcrime (imported car racket) and hence he was arrested on April 25, 2008. Duringthe investigation in present case, it is transpired that the car dealers inIndia in connivance with car dealers in Dubai import these vehicles by usingpassport of persons working abroad as labourers by paying them commission andthen sell the cars to the customers in India,��� says an affidavit. The affidavit also says that customer makes the payment by issuing chequein the name of the importer, which is deposited in fictitious account opened inbanks by the car dealers. The affidavit also claims that EOW is presentlyinvestigating import of 37 such vehicles and during the investigation of those,the involvement of Chowksy is revealed behind the import and sale of at leasteight vehicles. ���It is revealed from the facts of theinvestigation that Chowksy is the prime car dealer and financier behind theimport and sales of foreign made vehicles. He is the main beneficiary in thesaid conspiracy. The various fictitious account were opened in the bank to whichapplicant is introducer and he is operating the said account. He is the kingpinof this international racket, contacting the other prime accused outside Indiaand handling this illegal business from India,��� says the affidavit. Chowksy is presently under going a treatment for brain tumour at theNanavati hospital under the judicial custody. The court will decide the bailapplication on Thursday, said additional public prosecutor Y S Shinde. EOW has arrested Chowksy under sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120(B), for cheating, forgery of documents and criminal conspiracy. Chowksy wasarrested following an HC order to investigate the racket of sale of importedcars, while it was hearing Sushmita Sen���s petition. EOW has traced 27 suchvehicles and have seized 25 of them. Investigation is on in import of 10vehicles, says the affidavit.