TNN

Mumbai, Dec 5: Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, who walked through the green channel at Sahar airport in April with imported dutiable goods worth Rs 1 crore without paying duty, are likely to face a showcause notice from DRI for alleged violation of the Customs Act, customs officials said.

When contacted by TOI on Tuesday December 4, Bachchan Sr said he and his son had recently paid the duty in full, and there were no outstanding dues.

The goods, reportedly purchased from Harrods in London on the eve of the Abhishek-Aishwarya Rai wedding on April 19, would have attracted duty of about Rs 36 lakh, customs sources told this paper. Father and son had travelled separately within days of each other just before the wedding. The goods they brought with them were collectively valued at Rs 1 crore.

According to these sources, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in the city got a tipoff about three months ago that the duo had walked through the green channel on their return from London without paying the duty. DRI then got cracking and took the help of customs for the investigation.

The father-son duo was contacted by DRI and asked whether they had in fact brought in these goods, most of which comprised men's accessories. Customs officials said Amitabh and Abhishek claimed that they did not know that the goods they had purchased were dutiable.

Sources in the customs added that the duty was then promptly paid. However, they noted, since the Customs Act had been violated, a detailed showcause notice was likely to be issued to them soon. A showcause notice under the Customs Act is the equivalent of a chargesheet under IPC.