Visakhapatnam: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday convicted former Central Excise and Customs Inspector Kalaka Ramdas, a private individual named Polaki Janakiram, and a company, in connection with a ₹32.28 crore customs and excise duty fraud.

Five-year jail term and fines imposed

The court sentenced all three accused to five years’ imprisonment each. In addition, fines amounting to ₹5.53 lakh were imposed — ₹1.01 lakh on Ramdas, ₹2.51 lakh on Janakiram, and ₹2.01 lakh on the private company. Following the judgment, both Ramdas and Janakiram were sent to Central Prison, Visakhapatnam.

Case origins and conspiracy

The CBI had registered the case on August 30, 2005. Investigations revealed that Janakiram, impersonating a non-existent individual named Palla Kesava Rao, set up a firm under the name Sri Balaji General Trading Company (SBGTC). With forged documents and signatures, Janakiram applied for a trading licence and an Import and Export Code from the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ). He also secured warehouse status for the premises under the Customs Act with the help of Ramdas.

Fraudulent clearance of duty-free materials

According to the CBI, Janakiram, under the false identity of Kesava Rao, procured duty-free goods from firms in Maligaon and through imports. These materials were later fraudulently cleared as deemed exports to firms in Mumbai against Advance Release Orders (AROs). This was carried out in violation of EXIM Policy Guidelines, causing a loss of ₹32.28 crore in excise and customs duties. Investigators confirmed that the fraudulent scheme was executed in conspiracy with Ramdas and others.

Charge sheet and trial outcome

After concluding its investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet on August 29, 2008. Following a protracted trial, the court found sufficient evidence to convict the accused. The judgment marks the closure of a case that had been under trial for nearly 17 years.

Significance of the verdict

The conviction highlights the CBI’s continued efforts to prosecute white-collar crime and corruption involving public servants. The case also underscores the scale of losses that fraudulent trading and export schemes can inflict on government revenue.