2 weeks ago

Bengaluru activist gets customs relief on donated Covid oxygen concentrators

Bengaluru activist gets customs relief on donated Covid oxygen concentrators
Bengaluru activist gets customs relief on Covid oxygen concentrator imports · indianexpress.com

During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals needed special machines called oxygen concentrators to help sick people breathe.

A kind person in Bengaluru named Vinay Kumar helped bring about 700 of these machines from Europe.

He raised money and worked with friends from a German group to send them to people for free.

Years later, the customs office sent him a very big bill asking for taxes on the machines.

They said the machines were for personal use, which was not true.

Vinay went to a special court to explain that he had donated the machines to help people.

In August, the court agreed with him and canceled the bill.

The judge said Vinay was honest and transparent in everything he did.

Now he does not have to worry about paying the money.

Key facts

Activist
Vinay Kumar of Rajajinagar, Bengaluru
Duty demand dismissed
Rs 35 lakh
Oxygen concentrators
Approximately 700, donated free of charge
Import origin
Europe, coordinated with German group Technology Without Borders
Import date
May 2021
Notice received
This March
Court ruling date
August 5
Ruling
No collusion, wilful misstatement, or suppression of facts found

Quotes

Customs Court Judge

Judge presiding over the customs duty case

“"The importer acted with transparency at all stages of import, assessment and audit….there is no evidence to establish any collusion, wilful misstatement, or suppression of facts."”
indianexpress.com

Sources

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