In a major crackdown, the central excise department recently raided two manufacturing companies and seized unaccounted goods worth R2.42 crore and R14 lakh in cash. Senior central excise department officials said the companies were not registered with the excise department but were engaged in large-scale production of goods like steel bearings, hinges, bolts and handles.

According to central excise officials, the two units Jolly Engineering Works and Raj Industries operating from an industrial area near GT Karnal Road were engaged in "systematic evasion of excise duty".

"On specific inputs, our officials kept close eye on the operations at the two industries. The manufacturing of goods was well camouflaged at both the premises. We raided the two premises on December 23 and seized goods worth R2.42 crore and lot of cash," said a senior central excise official.

The products, said excise department officials, were being sold in the open market in Delhi and neighbouring areas under the brand name of 'Jolly' and 'Arrow'. "We have also seized lot of documents and are scrutinising their records," the official added.