New Delhi, Aug 13 (KNN) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has urged the Centre to investigate the "Chinese Hawala" racket busted by the Income Tax (IT) Department.

In letters sent to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, on Thursday, CAIT demanded an in-depth investigation into the "racket" and "whether such kinds of rackets" are also being operated by Chinese nationals in India.

''CAIT has also demanded stern action against Banks like Bandhan Bank & ICICI Bank and others for their connivance with Chinese national, nexus of this Hawala with e-commerce companies,'' the traders body said in a statement.

''It’s a matter of investigation that as to how the Chinese person Luo Sang which is his real identity in China and who was operating under the name of Charlie Peng was able to secure Indian Passport from Manipur and how he was able to further secure Aadhar & PAN Number through which he opened series of Bank Accounts,'' the statement read further.

The CAIT has also demanded a separate intensive probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as well.

CAIT National President B C  Bhartia & Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that opening and smooth operations of about 40 Shell Bank Accounts compelled to derive the fact that there is a close nexus of Chinese national & Bank officials and as such immediate steps should be taken to take task because of highly dereliction in duties of the Bank officials who should immediately be suspended and stern action should be taken against them.

''Some of the leading E-commerce Companies operating their online business activities in India are also hand in gloves with Chinese Individuals and Companies. The CAIT has urged for an investigation into the conduct of e-commerce companies in this issue. This huge revelation by the Income Tax department is ample testimony of indulging in blatant violations of India’s laws by the e-com portals,'' CAIT added.

The CAIT has also urged that all the bank employees and Chartered Accountants involved in this scam must be put behind bars and face the severest punishment for destroying the sanctity and sovereignty of Indian laws and rules.

On Tuesday, the IT Department busted a money laundering racket worth more than Rs 1,000 crore.