18 establishments of the widely criticized S Alam industrial group across the country are being investigated for VAT evasion. For this, Chittagong Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate formed an investigation team on Tuesday. The inquiry team has been asked to submit its report within a month.

The newly formed 20-member team of Chittagong Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate has been instructed to collect and audit all business data including income and expenditure from the previous audit to 2023-24 financial year.

According to the sources of the VAT department, the two companies have concealed the information about the sale of products for the next three years from the fiscal year 2019-20. They evade VAT by showing less sales in returns. Again, VAT has been evaded in the purchase of materials for the production of edible oil. Out of this, the amount of VAT evasion of S Alam Vegetable Oil is Tk 1,911 crore and S Alam Super Edible Oil is Tk 1,620 crore. There is a case going on in the court.

Chittagong Customs, Excise and VAT Commissioner ate said this information.