VPA accuses Synergy Shipping of forgery

Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) has lodged a police complaint and initiated action against a stevedoring company after detecting alleged forgery of certain documents to get certain benefits from Customs authorities.

VPA clarified that the issue pertains to the recent reports on a certain alleged scam in the port by Synergy Shipping Pvt Ltd, wherein it is stated that the said firm was involved in illicit activity of obtaining public bonding license from the Commissioner of Customs, Visakhapatnam based on forged ‘no objection certificates’ issued by Traffic Department of Visakhapatnam Port.

“The entire matter has been duly addressed wherein police complaint has been lodged at the Harbour Police Station and the concerned stevedoring firm has been issued show-cause notice to explain its misconduct. Moreover, the Customs authorities have been requested to take further action on the said firm for the wrong-doing. Further, the anti-corruption branch of CBI, Visakhapatnam has been requested to investigate into the matter,” the port said.

The said shipping company has also forged certain insurance related documents of The New India Assurance Co Ltd for getting certain benefits from the Commissioner of Customs, Visakhapatnam. The reports also mentioned that the scam had caused substantial financial loss to Visakhapatnam Port as well as the insurance company.

VPA in a release clarified that the said firm had forged the letter-head and signature of VPA officials in manufacturing the purported NOC in its favour wherein six copies of certificates produced before the Customs authorities were found to be not genuine.