The Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued the circular with regards to providing documents sought by investigating agencies like CBI, ED, DRI, etc.
“It has been stated that the RAS would hand over the cases to the investigating agencies with the prior approval of Headquarters. This arrangement was prescribed to ensure that only deserving cases are sent for investigation. No permission was required to handover the documents as asked for by the investigating agencies where DGFT offices are not making any reference for investigation,” the circular said.
This Directorate has been regularly receiving references from the Regional Authorities seeking permission to hand over documents/copies of documents to the external investigating agencies. Making such references to Headquarters delay the handing over of documents and consequently result in delays in the investigations.
Therefore, it has been decided that whenever a request for documents is received from an investigating agency, the Head of the Regional Authority may decide the same keeping in view facts and circumstances of the case.
The circular stated that RAS should provide the requisite records to the investigating agency against a request in writing, under proper receipt, recording name, and designation of the receiver. A copy of the official ID of the receiving officer should also be kept in record. RA Should also keep copies of the record being handed over.
“If, for any reason, the Head of Office is of the view that the requisite documents should not be handed over, he shall make a reference to the ECA Division of Hars. clearly bringing out the reasons for such refusal,” the DGFT in the circular stated.
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