The Finance Ministry on Thursday said it has directed the Department of Revenue to conduct a fair and fact-based inquiry into allegations of corruption and harassment raised by Chennai-based Wintrack Inc against Chennai Customs.
The ministry added that the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness and assured that appropriate action will be taken in line with the law, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving ease of doing business.
Wintrack Allegations Against Chennai Customs
Wintrack Inc announced on Wednesday that it would stop its import and export operations in India from October 1, alleging that officials of Chennai Customs had harassed the company for the past 45 days.
Responding to the claims, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said the matter was linked to misdeclaration and misclassification by the importer, and added that Chennai Customs had already addressed the issue. It said action would be taken as per law.
On Thursday, the Finance Ministry said in a post on X that it had taken note of the allegations raised by Wintrack Inc. It added that the Department of Revenue (DoR) had been directed to carry out a fair and fact-based inquiry. A senior officer has been deputed to examine documents, hear the concerned parties, and conduct a detailed investigation.
“The Department of Revenue (DoR) has been asked to undertake a fair, transparent, and fact-based inquiry into the present issue. A Senior Officer from DoR has been deputed to conduct a detailed factual enquiry, hearing the parties concerned, officials and thoroughly examining all relevant documentary evidence,” Finance Ministry said in a post on X.
“The matter is being dealt with utmost seriousness, and the Government is committed to taking appropriate and expeditious action in accordance with the law. It is reiterated that the Government is committed to enhancing ease of doing business,” Finance Ministry added.
Chennai Customs Acted In Retaliation:Â Wintrack Inc Claims
Wintrack Inc, however, alleged that Chennai Customs acted in retaliation after its bribery practices were exposed earlier this year.Â
In a post on X, the company stated, “From October 1, 2025, our company will cease import/export activities in India. For the past 45 days, Chennai Customs officials have relentlessly harassed us. After exposing their bribery practices twice this year, they retaliated, effectively crippling our operations and destroying our business in India. We deeply thank everyone who has supported us during these difficult times.”Â
In another post on Thursday, company founder Prawin Ganeshan shared a video explaining the events that led to the closure and urged people to stand against corruption on Gandhi Jayanti.
“I will stay alive,i will survive,never give up On this Gandhi Jayanthi, Lets all join together to reduce,abolish corrupt hands I have lost my health, got stress, still little left,” Wintrack Inc founder said in the post.
In the accompanying video, Ganeshan recalled an incident from January when he allegedly refused to pay a bribe on a shipment, recorded a call with an agent, and made it public. The shipment was later released, and he even thanked the customs officials at the time.
He said that from May to August, the problems resurfaced, alleging that demands for bribes increased, consignments were delayed, and officials used abusive language.
Ganeshan also claimed that when he tried to import goods under a new company registered in his wife’s name, the same issues continued.
“I decided I’m no longer going to do business in India in the form of importer, exporter, anything… I just appeal to all the importers and exporters, if each one of you also raise the voice against this kind of bribery corruption, then only everything can be abolished,” he said in the video.