NEW DELHI, Sept 13: CBI has registered a case against confectionery giant Mondelez, the maker of Cadbury chocolates, to probe allegations of bribing public servants to evade Rs 580 crore in excise duty, a top official said today.
The probe has been initiated on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission that did the groundwork, said chief of the anti-corruption watchdog K V Chowdary.
“Registration of case has happened after the Commission has supplied more information to them. We did some initial investigation. We got a lot of documents that we made available (to them),” Chowdary said in an interview.
He said the Commission was looking into allegations of bribery of certain public servants in the duty evasion case.
The case relates to Mondelez India’s ‘ghost’ production unit in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh.
“What we are looking at is the allegation that these people have made some inappropriate payments to public servants to get expedite or to get some benefits.
“So who are these people who received these benefits and whether they attract any disciplinary or criminal proceedings… That is the scope of the CVC’s work,” Chowdary said when asked what allegations the CBI would investigate.
The CVC exercises superintendence over the working of the CBI in corruption related matters, according to the CVC Act.
A Mondelez India spokesperson said in an email response that its executives acted in good faith and within the law while claiming excise tax benefits for its plant in Baddi.
“The matter is currently in the legal domain and therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time. We do not have anything new to share. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel