Shipping firm director held for evading service tax

Visakhapatnam: A senior official of a private shipping company has been arrested for allegedly evading payment of service tax to the tune of Rs 8 crore.

Ram Mohan Choudhary, Director of Kei Rsos Maritime Ltd, was apprehended yesterday by officials of Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence, an official release said here today.

Headquartered in Kakinada, East Godavari district, Kei Rsos Maritime is engaged in ship chartering and port services.

In the release, Assistant Director of Central Excise Intelligence C Satyanarayana said they investigated a case of non-payment of service tax against Kei Rsos Maritime.

Verification revealed the company evaded payment of service tax involving more than Rs 8 crore. The company used the money, which should have gone to the Government, for their own purpose, he said.

Diversion of service tax was done under the knowledge of Choudhary. He was arrested and produced before a Magistrate in Kakinada on October 8. He was remanded in judicial custody till October 20 by the Magistrate, the release said, adding the case is under investigation.

PTI