Delhi GST Anti-Evasion team seizes over 4 lakh imported 'Esse Light' cigarettes worth Rs 65 lakh:

The Delhi Government’s Department of Trade and Taxes has seized around 4.20 lakh imported cigarettes worth nearly Rs 65 lakh during a night-time enforcement operation.

The action was carried out by the department’s Anti-Evasion Branch-II as part of its efforts to crack down on tax evasion and the illegal trade of tobacco products.

Officials intercepted a vehicle carrying a large consignment of imported ‘Esse Light’ cigarettes. The vehicle was stopped during a routine inspection conducted at night in recent days.

According to the department, the cigarettes were being transported without following the legal requirements for tobacco products sold or distributed in India. The seizure was made under the provisions of the GST Act, 2017.

During the inspection, officials also found that the front of the cigarette packets did not carry the required pictorial health warning.

The department said this is a violation of Section 7 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. Under the law, cigarettes cannot be sold, supplied or distributed in India without the prescribed health warning. The rule also applies to imported cigarettes meant for sale or distribution in the country.

The Delhi Government said strict action will continue against tax evasion, illegal movement of goods and the unauthorised trade of tobacco products, in line with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s stated zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and illegal activities.