A week after India's income tax authority conducted a major crackdown on one of the country's biggest diamond traders, officials from the Central Excise Department raided the premises of 10 Surat-based manufacturers of diamond equipment and machinery.

According to the Times of India, the companies in question – which supply diamond manufacturing equipment to the local diamond industry – are suspected of evading the mandated 10% excise duty.

A team of over 30 officials raided the companies' factories and offices, seizing documents and other evidence that is due to be examined to determine whether the firms have dodged their tax obligations.