A month before the CBI raid on M K Stalin’s residence which triggered a political controversy, another member of the DMK’s first family quietly coughed up a Rs 60 crore-penalty for import violation.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had found post-import violation by a Bombardier aircraft belonging to the Sun group owned by M Karunanidhi’s grand-nephew Kalanithi Maran.
In February, the DRI had served notice to Sun for violation of import obligations under the category of non-scheduled passenger service aircraft. The group had claimed duty exemption under this category, which is meant to provide services on non-chartered routes. However, the aircraft was used by the directors of the group, which has interests from media to civil aviation, effectively using it as private jet.
30/03/13 Appu Esthose Suresh/Financial Express
