The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has detected customs duty evasion of around Rs 2,217 crore by smartphone maker Vivo India, a subsidiary of China-based Vivo Communication Technology, a finance ministry statement issued on Wednesday said. During the investigation, searches were conducted by DRI officials at the factory premises of Vivo India, which led to the recovery of incriminating evidence indicating wilful misdeclaration in the description of certain items imported by it for use in the manufacture of mobile phones, it said. This misdeclaration resulted in wrongful availment of ineligible duty exemption benefits by Vivo India, amounting to Rs 2,217 crore, the statement added. After completion of the investigation, a showcause notice has been issued to Vivo India demanding customs duty amounting to Rs 2,217 crore.
