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Finance Ministry Orders Fact-Based Inquiry After Wintrack Inc Alleges Corruption, Harassment By Chennai Customs

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New Delhi: The Finance Ministry said on Thursday that the Department of Revenue (DoR) has been asked to undertake a fair, transparent, and fact-based inquiry following allegations made by Wintrack Inc (Chennai) of “corruption and harassment” against Chennai Customs and the matter is being dealt “with utmost seriousness”.

The Finance Ministry said in a post on X that the Government is committed to taking appropriate and expeditious action in accordance with the law and is committed to enhancing ease of doing business.

Wintrack Inc had said on Wednesday that it will “cease import/export activities in India” from October 1 alleging that “Chennai Customs officials have relentlessly harassed us for the past 45 days”.

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) had responded to Wintrack Inc’s allegations on Wednesday, stating that the “issue pertains to misdeclaration and misclassification by the importer” and that Chennai Customs has already responded on this aspect. It said necessary action, as per law, will be taken.

In its post on X on Thursday, the Finance Ministry said that the Government has taken cognizance of the matter raised by M/s Wintrack Inc (Chennai).

“The Department of Revenue (DoR) has been asked to undertake a fair, transparent, and fact-based inquiry into the present issue. A Senior Officer from DoR has been deputed to conduct a detailed factual enquiry, hearing the parties concerned, officials and thoroughly examining all relevant documentary evidence,” Finance Ministry said.

It said that in recent years, the Government has implemented a series of taxpayer-friendly initiatives such as the adoption of the Taxpayer Charter, the introduction of faceless customs procedures, and the establishment of appellate bodies for dispute resolution — with the objective of enhancing transparency and promoting ease of doing business.

“The matter is being dealt with utmost seriousness, and the Government is committed to taking appropriate and expeditious action in accordance with the law. It is reiterated that the Government is committed to enhancing ease of doing business,” Finance Ministry said.

In its post, Wintrack Inc alleged that Chennai Customs retaliated after “their bribery practices” were exposed twice this year.

“From October 1, 2025, our company will cease import/export activities in India. For the past 45 days, Chennai Customs officials have relentlessly harassed us. After exposing their bribery practices twice this year, they retaliated, effectively crippling our operations and destroying our business in India. We deeply thank everyone who has supported us during these difficult times,” Wintrack Inc said in a post on X.

In another post by Wintrack Inc on Thursday, its founder, Prawin Ganeshan posted a video describing the “sequence of events leading to our closure”. He urged people to join together to “abolish corrupt hands” on Gandhi Jayanti.

“I will stay alive,i will survive,never give up On this Gandhi Jayanthi, Lets all join together to reduce,abolish corrupt hands I have lost my health, got stress, still little left,” the post said.

In the accompanying video, Ganeshan recounted incidents beginning in January when, “after refusing to pay an alleged bribe on a shipment”, he recorded a call with an agent and shared it publicly. “Subsequently, the shipment was released and the issue was solved,” he said, noting that he had even thanked the customs officials at the time.

However, Ganeshan said that problems resurfaced between May and August. He claimed that bribe demands escalated and that shipments were repeatedly delayed or held up. He alleged use of abusive language and repeated obstacles on his consignments.

Ganeshan added that he attempted imports through a new company registered in his wife’s name, but faced similar demands and delays.

“I decided I’m no longer going to do business in India in the form of importer, exporter, anything… I just appeal to all the importers and exporters, if each one of you also raise the voice against this kind of bribery corruption, then only everything can be abolished,” he said in the video.

The CBIC had responded to Wintrack Inc’s allegations on Wednesday night and tagged Finance Ministry and office of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

“Regarding the allegations of corruption against Chennai Customs raised by @PrawinGaneshan on Twitter, it is clarified that the issue pertains to misdeclaration and misclassification by the importer. Chennai Customs has already responded on this aspect. Subsequently, the importer has shared certain names and screenshots on Twitter. The matter has been noted, and all facts will be duly examined. Necessary action, as warranted under the law, will be taken,” the CBIC said.

Crime

Vasai Schoolgirl Death Case: Teacher Arrested After 100-Squat Punishment Turns Fatal For 13-Year-Old

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Vasai: In the case involving the death of a 13-year-old student at Shri Hanumant Vidya Mandir School in Vasai, a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered against teacher Mamata Yadav. It is alleged that the punishment given by the teacher led to the girl’s deteriorating health and eventual death. The police registered the case after receiving the medical report and arrested the teacher on Wednesday.

Kajal Gaund, the student, was studying in the sixth standard at Shri Hanumant Vidya Mandir School in Sativali, Vasai East. On November 8, some children arrived late for school. The class teacher, Mamata Yadav, punished the children, including Kajal, by making them do 100 squats while carrying their school bags on their shoulders.

After returning home from school, Kajal’s health deteriorated. She was admitted to the hospital for treatment, but she passed away during the course of treatment. The incident had severe repercussions. On Tuesday, the post-mortem report was received by the police from the JJ Hospital.

Consequently, the Valiv Police finally booked teacher Mamata Yadav under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act for being responsible for the death. The teacher was arrested on Wednesday evening.

“Initially, a case of accidental death was registered in this matter. However, based on the inquiry and the medical report, a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered against the teacher, and she was arrested yesterday evening,” said Dilip Ghuge, Senior Police Inspector of the Valiv Police Station.

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Mumbai: World Hindu Economic Forum 2025 To Be Held On December 19-20, Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal Among Key Speakers

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The World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2025 will be held in Mumbai on December 19 and 20 under the theme of innovation, self-reliance, and prosperity. Confirmed speakers include Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal, and Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

This year’s forum will bring together leading industrialists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and global investors from India and abroad to deliberate on strategies for inclusive growth, enterprise promotion, and wealth creation rooted in Hindu civilisational values. Invitations have been extended to the chief ministers of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, and Odisha, alongside several prominent business leaders.

The Mumbai forum follows the recently concluded WHEF 2025 Adelaide conference in Australia, held under the theme “Empowering Growth: Prosperity, Innovation and Sustainability”, which saw active participation from Australian leaders, including Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs, Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs Zoe Bettison, and Senator Andrew McLachlan.

The two-day forum will open on December 19 with an exclusive session for large corporates, followed by the MSME and Entrepreneurial Session on December 20. Highlights include WHEF Launchpad presentations, policy discussions, and extensive networking opportunities. The forum is expected to host over 400 delegates representing sectors such as technology, clean energy, manufacturing, and social innovation.

Founded in 2012, WHEF has held forums in Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Bangkok, Chicago, and Adelaide, featuring leading global thinkers. Swami Vigyananand, initiator of WHEF, said, “Our economy is our strength. Through WHEF, we aim to channel the collective talent, knowledge, and enterprise of Hindus globally to create and share surplus wealth, ensuring prosperity for all.”

Rajesh Sharma, chairman of WHEF 2025’s organising committee, said, “WHEF has become a global platform that celebrates enterprise and values-driven growth. WHEF 2025 will spotlight how innovation, ethics, and collaboration can redefine Bharat’s role in the global economy. Our aim is to connect ideas with capital, tradition with technology, and local entrepreneurship with global opportunity.”

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Mumbai: Jain Community Moves Bombay HC Against Collector’s Order Upholding Wine Shop’s License Near 1833 Anantnathji Derasar Temple

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Mumbai, Nov 19: The long-simmering dispute between the Jain community and a wine shop has escalated to the Bombay High Court. A writ petition has been filed challenging an order issued by the Mumbai city collector, which had previously upheld the operating legality of Masjid Bunder-based Anand Wines, despite allegations that the liquor outlet is situated in violation of mandatory distance norms from the city’s second-oldest Jain temple.

The petition, filed on behalf of the temple trust and the Jain community, centers on the proximity of Anand Wines to Shree Anantnathji Maharaj Derasar, said to be Mumbai’s second oldest Jain temple built in 1833.

Although the dispute has been long standing between the religious institution and the liquor shop, it peaked recently after the Mumbai City collector dismissed the petitioner’s complaint dated March 27, 2024, seeking relocation of the liquor shop.

The complaint read, “The presence of the wine shop in such close proximity to a place of worship is inappropriate and disrespectful. The residents have raised concerns that are impacting the sanctity and tranquility of the area.

Based on this, the state excise department commenced an inquiry and found that the liquor shop was established on August 12, 1999, after being shifted from Bhuleshwar, where it was named as Tipu Wines. It noted that the shop’s license marked it free from restrictions at the time of transfer.

However, the department’s survey revealed that the liquor shop is 88.4 metres away from the temple’s main gate. However, it also recorded that the distance between the temple’s backdoor and the wine shop was only 13 metres, which violated the norms prescribed under Mumbai Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953.

“The licensee does not appear to be free from restrictions as it is within 50 metres of the nearest entrance of a registered religious institution,” read the show cause notice to Anand Wines, seeking reply about why its license should not be cancelled since it is not exempted from the inter-restrictions.

However, the collector dismissed the complaint stating that the distance between the front door and the wine shop is 87.2 metres and therefore it is free from restrictions.

He cited the survey by the state excise department’s deputy superintendent, which said that the back door was found closed on all the three occasions of the official’s visit, hinting that the door is not in use. The order also cited the then collector’s order granting license to Anand Wines, calling it free from restrictions.

The petition challenges the order stating that it considered a report from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, dated April 19, 2025, which recorded that there is no reference of backdoor of the said temple but did not consider the temple CEO Rajendra Khona’s statement to the excise department, dated June 3, 2024, which stated that the temple’s backdoor is being used for religious work. It alleged the order to be bad in law, highlighting the contrary findings in BMC report and state excise department’s records.

It has urged the High Court to quash and set aside the district collector’s order dated July 3, 2025, and cancel the liquor license issued to Anand Wines under the provisions of Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949. It also prayed the court to suspend operations of the liquor shop’s license until the final disposal of the petition.

Contacted Sushil Khatanhar, the owner of Anand Wines, who said, “We have been running this business for 25 years and there has never been any objection from any local citizen. The temple’s back gate has not opened in the last 30 years and they have recently started opening it to make it an issue against us. This is a tactic used to harass us so that we give up our shop.”

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