CIID to take action against Raintree for irregularities
Dhaka: Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) will take action against The Raintree Dhaka, where two private university girls were allegedly raped, as it found some irregularities, including evasion of VAT and tax, against the hotel.
The CIID took the decision after interrogating Managing Director of the hotel Shah Mohammad Adnan Harun at its headquarters on Tuesday.
Adnan Harun along with his uncles Mujibul Hoque Kamal and Akbar Hossain Manju and lawyer Jahangir Kabir appeared before the CIID office around 11am to explain the source of 10 bottles of foreign liquor seized during a drive at the hotel, said CIID joint director Safiur Rahman.
Briefing reporters after the interrogation of the Raintree authorities, CIID Director General Dr Moinul Khan said they found the proof of tax and VAT dodging against the posh hotel. "We'll take legal action against the hotel as we've found some irregularities, including tax and VAT evasion," he said.
He also said they will carry out further investigation into the matter.
Replying to a query, the CIID DG said the hotel authorities claimed that they do not know how the 10 bottles of wine found their place in their hotel and that they were brought to the hotel by guests.
Earlier on Monday, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court stayed a High Court order for six months that had stayed for one month the effectiveness of the CIID's notice summoning the Raintree managing director.
On May 15, the CIID summoned Shah Mohammad Adnan Harun to appear before it on May 23 after recovery of liquor by a CIID team from the hotel.
The CIID served the notice under section 166 (3) of the Customs Act and under section 9(3) of the Money-Laundering Act.
On May 14, CIID officials conducted a drive at the hotel and seized 10 bottles of foreign liquor from one of its room.