An article by Rhys Blakely of the Times recounts stories of luxury aircraft (at least 10 so far) impounded by Indian customs officers for failure to pay import duties.

The seized airplanes include an Airbus A-319 purchased by Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries, India’s largest private company) for his wife as a birthday gift. Mr. Abmani’s “archenemy”, Anil Ambani (they are brothers), also had an aircraft, a Global 5000 Bombardier, seized.

The article goes on to say:

“A source at one of the affected companies said: “They have declared war: officials say anyone who has bought an aircraft is fair game.”

Speculation abounds that a clamp-down on the ultra-rich may have political rewards in Delhi, where, in the run-up to elections, India’s Government is being attacked for failing to ensure that the poor benefit from the country’s economic boom.”