One more held in luxury car import scam

Sood contacted embassy officials from North Korea and Vietnam. The two diplomats allegedly gave a go ahead to make purchases in their names. One Aston Martin and a Bentley were purchased; both the cars have been confiscated by the DRI, said a top DRI official.

Officials said Sood will be produced before the court on Wednesday where they are likely to seek his custody to unearth other instances where he had approached diplomats. He is learnt to have received Rs 5 lakh for each car. The total tax evasion on two cars stood at Rs 11.51 crore. We are awaiting replies from the Ministry of External Affairs and the two diplomats whose names cropped up during investigation, said a DRI official.

Walia was arrested last month by the DRI officials,but he was soon granted bail which,according to officials,hampered the probe. Walia is alleged to have imported more than 300 vehicles,including 40 luxury cars which have been confiscated by the DRI.