[Letter to Mr P J Deshmukh]

Summary

In this two-page letter dated March 13, 1975, M. R. Masani asks Regional Transport Officer P. J. Deshmukh to intervene in what he describes as a misunderstanding over tax-recovery proceedings involving four jeeps formerly owned by the Swatantra Party. Masani explains that the vehicles were sold in May 1967, before the party ceased operating in Bombay, and that he has already written to the Collector of Bombay about the matter.

Masani details the disposition of each jeep, identifying the purchasers and, where relevant, the locations at which the vehicles were held. He argues that he has no liability for taxes on the vehicles and asks Deshmukh to instruct the Collector’s office to withdraw the proceedings. The letter frames the dispute as an administrative error that has caused avoidable inconvenience and harassment.

Key points

• Masani seeks Deshmukh’s personal intervention in tax-recovery proceedings concerning four jeeps.
• The vehicles had been sold by the Swatantra Party in May 1967.
• Masani says the jeeps were subsequently sold to Associated Cement Companies Limited, Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, and Tata-related entities.
• He maintains that he is not liable for taxes on vehicles no longer owned by him or the party.
• He asks the Collector of Bombay to drop the proceedings to prevent further inconvenience and harassment.