DRI busts illegal import of Pakistan-origin rock salt worth Rs 30 crore, 4 arrested
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has uncovered the illegal import of more than 7,300 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin rock salt, which was being routed through Sri Lanka and carried fabricated certificates to circumvent India's prohibition on the import of goods originating in or exported from the neighbouring country, through Operation 'Deep Manifest'. Four people have been arrested in connection with the case. According to officials, the DRI detected the import of 295 containers carrying 7,311 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin Industrial or Himalayan Rock Salt, with an estimated market value of around Rs 30 crore. The consignments were routed through Colombo Port in Sri Lanka, and falsifying their origin by using fabricated certificates of origin and invoices issued by the UAE-based entities. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI launched a coordinated, fortnight-long operation between September 26 and October 11, conducting searches at linked premises in Gandhidham, Adipur, Veraval, Panipat, Pune, Patiala, Delhi and Mumbai. Investigation revealed that nine importers had brought in the 295 containers through Mundra and Kandla ports since March 2026, in violation of the prohibition. Of the total 295 containers detected, five containers carrying 140 MT of Industrial/Himalayan Rock Salt, valued at Rs 24.41 lakh, have been seized at Kandla Port. In addition, sales proceeds amounting to Rs 20.96 lakh held in the importers' bank accounts have been seized. Preliminary investigation has uncovered a transnational network involving entities owned by Pakistani, The UAE, Sri Lankan and Indian nationals. The network allegedly coordinated the shipments and supporting documentation to disguise the Pakistani origin of the goods. Fabricated invoices issued by Dubai-based firms were used to support the transactions. Significantly, 'Bills of Lading', a legally binding document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of goods being carried, relating to the PakistanSri Lanka leg of the shipments and customs declarations filed with Sri Lanka Customs, expressly mentioned Pakistan as the country of origin and India as the final destination. The Certificates of Origin submitted by the importers were found to be fabricated. Four persons have been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962: two proprietors/partners of importing firms, a Customs Broker's G-card holder, and the owner of a Dubai-based supplier who had also established and operated an importing firm in his father's name. In a similar crackdown last month, DRI seized more than 362,000 kg of Pakistan-origin dry dates packed in 13 containers imported by a Mumbai-based firm at CFS Ambad in Nashik. These cases highlight the evolving methods used by transnational networks to circumvent India's import prohibition on Pakistani origin goods through third-country routing, false declarations of origin, fabricated trade documents and opaque financial arrangements. Following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, the Union government imposed a complete prohibition on the direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, in the interest of national security and public policy.
DRI busts illegal import of over 73,00,000 kg of Pakistan-origin rock salt; 4 arrested
New Delhi, Oct 14: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has once again unearthed a large-scale scheme to circumvent Indias prohibition on the import of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan under Operation Deep Manifest. DRI detected the import of 295 containers carrying 7,311 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin Industrial/Himalayan Rock Salt, with an estimated market value of around Rs. 30 crore. The consignments were routed through Colombo Port, Sri Lanka, and falsifying their origin by using fabricated certificates of origin and invoices issued by UAE-based entities. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI launched a coordinated, fortnight-long operation between 26 September and 11 October 2026, conducting searches at linked premises in Gandhidham, Adipur, Veraval, Panipat, Pune, Patiala, Delhi and Mumbai. Investigation revealed that nine importers had brought in the 295 containers through Mundra and Kandla ports since March 2026, in violation of the prohibition. Out of the total 295 containers detected, five containers carrying 140 MT of Industrial/Himalayan Rock Salt, valued at Rs. 24.41 lakh, have been seized at Kandla Port. In addition, sales proceeds amounting to Rs. 20.96 lakh held in the importers bank accounts have been seized. Preliminary investigation has uncovered a transnational network involving entities owned by Pakistani, UAE, Sri Lankan and Indian nationals. The network allegedly coordinated the shipments and supporting documentation to disguise the Pakistani origin of the goods. Fabricated invoices issued by Dubai-based firms were used to support the transactions. Significantly, Bills of Lading relating to the PakistanSri Lanka leg of the shipments and customs declarations filed with Sri Lanka Customs expressly mentioned Pakistan as the country of origin and India as the final destination. The Certificates of Origin submitted by the importers were found to be fabricated. Four persons have been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962: two proprietors/partners of importing firms, a Customs Brokers G-card holder, and the owner of a Dubai-based supplier who had also established and operated an importing firm in his fathers name. In a similar crackdown last month, DRI seized over 362,000 kg of Pakistan-origin dry dates packed in 13 containers imported by a Mumbai-based firm at CFS Ambad, Nashik. These cases highlight the evolving methods used by transnational networks to circumvent Indias import prohibition on Pakistani origin goods through third-country routing, false declarations of origin, fabricated trade documents and opaque financial arrangements. DRI remains committed to identifying and dismantling such networks and safeguarding Indias economic and national security interests. Following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, the Government of India imposed a complete prohibition on the direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, in the interest of national security and public policy, vide DGFT Notification No. 06/2025-26 dated 02.05.2025.
Gold Biscuits, Silver, Cash Worth 2 Crores Stolen From 2 Locked Noida Flats
The incident came to light after residents of two flats in The Crescent Apartment returned to find their homes burgled. One family had travelled to Panipat, while the owner of the other flat was in US
Video Of Panipat Garbage Truck Dumping On Road Falsely Linked To Delhi Protest
BOOM found that the video is from Panipat, Haryana, where sanitation workers staged a protest and dumped garbage on the road in August, 2026.
Women and Child Development Department, Haryana (Haryana Anganwadi) has released the official notification for Anganwadi Worker (AWW) and Anganwadi Sahayika (AWH) posts. The offline application process will begin on 08 October 2026, and the last date to apply is 30 October 2026.
Railways Begins Land Acquisition In Panipat For Rs 5,983 Crore Delhi-Ambala Rail Line Expansion
NGT notice to Haryana govt over SO norm violations at Panipat thermal plant units
PM SVANidhi scheme transforms lives of street vendors and small traders; beneficiaries thank govt
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The Prime Minister Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, launched in June 2020 as a first-of-its-kind micro-credit initiative for empowering street vendors, has brought notable change in the lives of small traders and street vendors, with beneficiaries from across the country - from J&K to Haryana to Madhya Pradesh, thanking the Central government for the benefits. A couple of street vendors from Tral in J&Ks Pulwama district told IANS that the financial assistance proved immensely beneficial for them and their small businesses. A vendor stated that the assistance greatly helped them in sustaining their livelihood and also urged the Kashmir youth to avail themselves of the loan facility provided by the government to either start or strengthen their own small businesses. In Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch, the PM SVANidhi scheme is transforming the fortunes of small traders. Pushcart operators and small shopkeepers, who previously struggled with a shortage of funds, are now obtaining loans without any hassle. The scheme has become a strong vehicle for self-reliance, particularly for women. Neemuch CMO (Chief Municipal Officer) Durga Bamaniya told newsmen, The PM SVANidhi scheme was implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to empower street vendors and small retail traders financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that women vendors benefited significantly from the scheme. A beneficiary named Priyanka Jain said, I live in Neemuch. I received a loan of Rs 10,000 from the municipality. With that loan, I procured raw materials for incense sticks and started a new business. It has been very beneficial for me. As a woman, I would like to say that what the Prime Minister is doing for women is excellent; he has empowered women from middle-class and impoverished backgrounds. Another beneficiary, Rekha Prajapati, shared, I received a loan of Rs 10,000 under the PM SVANidhi scheme. We manufacture and sell earthenware. This scheme has greatly benefited me and many other women like me. We used to stay at home, but now we have the opportunity to step out and work. Beneficiary Gopal Krishna Chhabra said, I repaid the Rs 10,000 loan on time. Earlier, I was operating on a small scale, but receiving the loan has been beneficial; I have expanded my market reach. I deal in whole spices, selling packets ranging from 10 grams to 100 grams. In Haryanas Panipat, the PM SVANidhi has given small businesses a chance to stand on their own feet. The story of Govind, a vegetable vendor, serves as a prime example. Govind, who used to work as a labourer before the lockdown, started selling vegetables afterwards. Under the scheme, he received loans of Rs 10,000, then Rs 20,000, and subsequently Rs 50,000. He shared that he operates his cart daily from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. After covering all expenses, he manages to save between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 a month. He uses these savings to pay the loan instalment of Rs 3,100 and cover his family's living expenses. His family consists of eight members, including two children, two daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. Govind further shared that in recognition of his work, he was invited to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister on Republic Day. Similarly, Sunita established a livelihood through the scheme. She initially started a tea cart, but it did not succeed. She then took another loan to set up a chowmein cart. She availed loans of Rs 10,000, then Rs 20,000, and finally Rs 50,000 in 2024, and she has been repaying all instalments on time. Expressing gratitude to PM Modi, Sunita noted that she used to do odd jobs previously and the cart now covers the household expenses as well as her children's needs.
Panjab University Law Student Dies By Suicide In Campus Hostel
The victim has been identified as Chatanniya Singh, a resident of Panipat, Haryana, police said on Saturday. He was an LLB student at the University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS).
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Godrej Industries Group plans to invest 20,000 crore in Haryana
Godrej Industries Group on Monday said it plans to invest about Rs 20,000 crore in Haryana with the potential to create around 40,000 jobs. The group has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Haryana Government in the presence of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, outlining its future investment plan in the state, Godrej Industries Group (GIG) said in a statement. The proposed investments will build on the group's existing footprint in the state. GIG has invested approximately Rs 12,000 crore in Haryana to date and employs around 9,000 people across its businesses, it added. The group's real estate firm Godrej Properties Ltd (GPL) will be a key driver of the investment plans. Having invested approximately Rs 11,000 crore in Haryana to date, GPL plans to invest a further Rs 16,000 crore by FY28, it added. The company currently has 18 projects across Gurugram, Sonipat, Faridabad, Panipat and Kurukshetra, with its future projects expected to create more than 11,000 jobs. Godre
From Panipat to Varanasi, a Banarasi revival is creating jobs beyond the loom
From Panipat to Varanasi a Banarasi revival is creating jobs beyond the loom
CBI Arrests Assistant DGFT in Haryana Bribery Case
Chandigarh, August 20: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an Assistant Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stationed in Panipat, Haryana, in connection with a bribery case. On Wednesday, the agency released a press statement detailing the charges against the accused. It is alleged that the Assistant DGFT solicited a bribe of 30,000 ... Read more CBI Arrests Assistant DGFT in Haryana Bribery Case
PM Modis Call on National Handloom Day Sparks Excitement Among Weavers and Boosts Sales
Panipat, August 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes to the nation on National Handloom Day, honoring Indias rich handloom tradition and the artisans who have preserved this craft for generations. He urged citizens to embrace handloom products, which has ignited enthusiasm among handloom businesses across the country. Weavers in Panipat expressed their ... Read more PM Modis Call on National Handloom Day Sparks Excitement Among Weavers and Boosts Sales
Neeraj Chopra's Rs 30 crore bungalow in Haryana's Panipat district is a three-storey property with a lush garden, a trophy room, and a garage that holds everything from a customised Rs 3 crore Audi RS Q8 to tractors, reflecting the Olympic champion's roots as much as his success.
The Panipat-based fragrance manufacturer introduces a widely accessible inspired fragrance collection 31 long-lasting, skin-safe, alcohol-free perfume oils inspired by iconic global fragrances, each in a 100 ml bottle at a single price of 999, shipped directly from its own certified facility with no middlemen in between.
Centre puts Ram temple recce operative, Hafiz Saeed's son-in-law on terror list
According to the ministry, he carried out reconnaissance of the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya, the RSS headquarters in Nagpur and the Indian Oil refinery in Panipat. He is also accused of serving as the launching commander for the Lasiyakot sector and facilitating infiltration through tunnels while arranging drone deliveries of arms and ammunition into India.
