Finmin asked Revenue Dept to undertake a fair inquiry into Wintrack matter
In a social media post, the Ministry said that the Revenue Department has been asked to undertake a fair, transparent, and fact-based inquiry into the present issue
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SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
The Finance Ministry on Thursday said that the government has taken cognizance of the matter raised by Chennai-based Wintrack Inc. On Wednesday, the company announced that it will cease import/export activities in India with effect from October 1, as it alleged “relentless harassment” by Chennai Customs.
In a social media post, the Ministry said that the Revenue Department has been asked to undertake a fair, transparent, and fact-based inquiry into the present issue. “A Senior Officer from DoR has been deputed to conduct a detailed factual enquiry, hearing the parties concerned, officials, and thoroughly examining all relevant documentary evidence,” it said in a social media post
On Wednesday, the company alleged that for the past 45 days, Chennai Customs officials have harassed it. “After exposing their bribery practices twice this year, they retaliated, effectively crippling our operations and destroying our business in India,” it said. The shipment in question was a massager. “How can a factory sell a massager without a charging cable?” Founder of the company, Prawin Ganeshan, asked.
He said that he charging cable is included as part of the new product kit; every new product requires a charging cable to function. Customs raised an issue for the first time this year, questioning why charging cables were not declared separately. Charging cables are not sold separately and are always listed in the packing list. EPR and LMPC compliances were manually requested for the first time, causing delays and demurrages. “The law has loopholes, and officers exploit them at their discretion,” Ganeshan alleged in a series of post.
Responding to the allegation, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) said that the issue pertains to misdeclaration and misclassification by the importer. “Chennai Customs has already responded to this aspect. Subsequently, the importer has shared certain names and screenshots on Twitter. The matter has been noted, and all facts will be duly examined. Necessary action, as warranted under the law, will be taken,” the tax body said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has said that in recent years, the Government has implemented a series of taxpayer-friendly initiatives such as the adoption of the Taxpayer Charter, the introduction of faceless customs procedures, and the establishment of appellate bodies for dispute resolution, with the objective of enhancing transparency and promoting ease of doing business.
“The matter is being dealt with utmost seriousness, and the Government is committed to taking appropriate and expeditious action in accordance with the law. It is reiterated that the Government is committed to enhancing ease of doing business,” the Ministry assured.
Published on October 2, 2025
