The FIR was filed by additional commissioner customs, (R&I) A K Chatterjee on September 15, with the crime branch, rather unusually, given that such a case would have been normally given to the CBI. Diamonds worth Rs 60,48,082 were allegedly replaced with diamonds of cheaper quality. The value of the diamonds is now identified as Rs 51,39,713, it is learnt.

Interestingly, Customs officials had discovered on August 17 that George visited the strongroom on August 14, a holiday preceeding other holidays, on the pretext of some other seizure by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. In fact, no seizure by DRI or any other agency had taken place.

It was suspected that George had in fact, come there to replace the stolen diamonds.

Three packets of diamonds were identified by the Customs inquiry team to havethe same weights but different value. Interestingly, at this stage, that is before August 14, George himself was also a part of the team that investigated the `anonymous information,' obviously since he was in charge of the safekeeping.

Two auctions of diamonds and jewellery were conducted in January and March this year by the Customs House.

During the Customs' own inquiry, three valuations of each of the three packets were made. The value of lot numbers 225 and 230 was put at about USD 16-18, and USD 60 per carat respectively. In lot 411, the value was ascertained at USD 25 per carat (earlier USD 60).

While the weight of lot number 225 was found to be unchanged, that of lot number 230 was in excess by 0.95 CTS and that of lot number 411 was less by 7.52 CTS. It was not known till late Wednesday evening if Sawhney had also been questioned.