Swaranjit Singh Bajaj, owner of Punjab Sind Dairy, has alleged that he was cheated out of INR 17 lakh while trying to purchase a secondhand Honda F6 bike in July 2020. Bajaj, a bike and car enthusiast, said he was approached by Thane-based mechanic Maqsood Alam Sheikh on social media, who informed him that the bike was for sale and introduced him to his business partner, Naved Pathan. A report regarding the same was published in the Hindustan Times.
Transaction and Discovery of Illegal Import
After a test ride, Bajaj asked the duo to transfer the motorcycle to his name at Andheri RTO. He also checked the registration certificate (RC) book of the vehicle, which showed that the bike was owned by a New Delhi resident named Prince Pathak. Bajaj paid the amount quoted upfront, and the two men handed over all the documents of the bike, including sales invoice and custom documents. However, Sheikh did not hand over the bike to Bajaj after the transfer of ownership, and the complainant contacted the accused. The accused informed Bajaj that work at the RTO was slowed down due to the COVID pandemic. As time passed, Bajaj discovered that Pathak had imported the bike into India through illegal means.
Also Read: KDMC chief issues show cause notice to 15 staffers over missing documents
Summoned by Delhi Police
In November 2022, Bajaj was summoned by the Delhi police about the ownership of the bike. He responded to them through his lawyers, telling them his side of the story. Last month, the Delhi police again wrote to him asking for details about the transaction and the dealer from whom the complainant had bought the vehicle. Bajaj filed a cheating case against Pathak and the two dealers. As a result, the Khar police booked the three people for fraud. The investigation into the case is still ongoing.
Also Read: CBI Registers Case Against Mumbai-Based Company for Bank Fraud
Importing a bike to India
Authorities from the RTO, through several public announcements made earlier, have stated that importing a bike to India involves several rules and regulations that need to be followed. The process can be expensive and time-consuming, and there are several customs duties and taxes involved. To import a bike to India, one needs to obtain an import license and provide all necessary documents such as the registration certificate, invoice, insurance, and customs clearance certificate. The bike must comply with Indian emission and safety standards and pass a homologation test. The customs duty and taxes may range from 60-100% of the bike's value, depending on the engine capacity and country of origin. It is advisable to hire a customs clearing agent to handle the process.
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