Narendra Rastogi remanded to CBI custody

A special CBI court in Mumbai on Saturday remanded Narendra Kumar Rastogi to CBI custody till July 11 in connection with a customs duty evasion case pending against him.

Rastogi was extradited from the United States on Friday.

CBI prosecutor P Arun told the court that there were six cases pending in Mumbai courts against Rastogi.

The present case pertains to a fraudulent export of bicycle parts. According to prosecution, Rastogi's company inflated the prices of consignment exported, to avail of `custom duty drawback'.

The consignments were exported to firms controlled by Rastogi himself in the foreign countries. On reaching there, the consignments would be either dumped, or disposed of at throw-away prices.

The CBI wants, in particular, to question him about the use of amounts remitted from abroad, Arun said.

Rastogi's defence lawyer Tushar Shah submitted that sessions court in Mumbai had granted him bail in his absence in the present case in 2006, which was later stayed by the Bombay High Court.

The prosecution argued that clarification was necessary from the High Court whether a remand can be granted by lower court in such a situation. The prosecution sought a short custody, till a clarification application was made to the court.

Sessions Judge Chitra Bhedi granted his custody to CBI till July 11. Rastogi's lawyers said they would move the High Court as soon as possible for clarification.

Rastogi is facing a total of 13 CBI cases, in various courts in New Delhi and Mumbai.