SHIMLA: In a major crackdown on illegal trading of ornaments in Himachal Pradesh, the vigilance team on Thursday apprehended a private vehicle belonging to a Punjab-based trader, recovering 36 kgs of silver at Mataur in Kangra district.
Following secret information received from undercover sources, the team had set up a check-point at Mataur to nab trader Rakesh Puri, a resident of Vijay Nagar, in Batala, Amritsar.
The arrest assumes significance since the vigilance department has been receiving information continuously on the moves of some traders from Punjab indulging in such illegal trading. This has resulted in a massive loss of revenue for the state government since these traders have been evading tax for bringing in and selling gold and silver in Himachal. ALSO READ: Everyone In HP Knows Conspirators, They Are Known Faces: HP CM After Recent By-Poll Loss
An excise check was also done by the ETO, after which it was found that the trader did not possess the necessary documents required for trading the silver in Himachal. Subsequently, he was fined Rs 1 lakh 46 thousand.
The operation was carried out by a team headed by vigilance inspector Surendra Kumar, assisted by inspectors Brajesh, Kuldeep and constable Abhishek.