Kathmandu: A formal complaint has been lodged at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers against automobile businessman and MAW Group Managing Director Bishnu Agrawal, accusing him of using fake VAT invoices, evading customs duties and underreporting income tax.
The complaint, filed by an individual petitioner, alleges that Agrawal has been involved in organized revenue evasion for nearly 15 years and calls for legal action and a comprehensive investigation.
According to the complaint, MAW Vriddhi Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. evaded large amounts of customs revenue during the import of Foton-branded electric vehicles in the fiscal year 2023/24.
The petitioner claims that the EVs imported through the Tatopani Customs Office were intentionally classified under a lower-duty category as 17-seat vehicles in order to reduce customs liabilities.
Following an investigation, the Department of Customs reportedly identified more than Rs 62.2 million in unpaid revenue and issued a notice demanding payment. However, Agrawal challenged the move in court.
After customs authorities initiated recovery proceedings, Agrawal’s side approached the Supreme Court, which later issued a short-term interim order, temporarily halting the revenue collection process.
Revenue officials say the ongoing court proceedings have complicated efforts to recover the outstanding amount.
The complaint also cites a 2010 investigation by the Inland Revenue Department into fake VAT invoices, in which Morang Auto Works was found guilty.
According to the petitioner, the company was subsequently shut down, and a new business structure was created under the “MAW” brand — combining the letters “M” from Morang, “A” from Auto and “W” from Works — through multiple newly established companies that allegedly continued the same operations.
The complaint further accuses Agrawal of conducting artificial transactions among his own subsidiary companies to reduce tax liabilities, shift profits and inflate expenses in order to pay lower income tax.
The petitioner has urged the Prime Minister’s Office to mobilize the Revenue Investigation Department, the Department of Customs and the Inland Revenue Department to conduct an impartial investigation into all financial records dating back to 2010 and take action against those found guilty.
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