The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday conducted searches at multiple locations, including the premises of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s brother Agrasain Gehlot, in connection with an alleged fertilizer exports scam that caused a loss of ₹52.80 crore to the exchequer.
“The searches have been carried out in Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal, against 15 accused persons. They include private companies and its directors or proprietors,” said a CBI official. Unknown officials of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, and Indian Potash Limited (IPL) are also under the scanner.
The CBI had earlier instituted a preliminary enquiry during which it found that Muriate of Potash (MOP), a restricted item, could be exported only with the prior permission of the Central government. The imported MOP is supplied by the IPL to farmers through its authorised dealers at subsidised rates, and the subsidy is claimed from the government.
Concealed transaction
The agency came across evidence that MOP had allegedly been exported under the guise of feldspar powder/industrial salt to overseas buyers. In order to conceal the transaction, fictitious purchases of feldspar powder/industrial salt through dealers in Rajasthan and Kolkata were shown by the accused.
During 2007-09, they conspired with unknown officials of the Central Board of Excise and Customs, and IPL to buy and export 24,003 metric tonne of MoP by declaring the consignments as that of industrial salt/feldspar powder.
In 2020, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had carried out searches in the same matter, following the legal action initiated by the Customs Department. It was alleged that Agrasain Gehlot – through his Jodhpur-based company Anupam Krishi – exported MOP at higher rates to countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam.
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