Uttar Pradesh task force arrests four in Rs 100-cr GST scam; GST officer absconding, ETCFO
Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force has named a Central GST inspector in the Rs 100 crore GST evasion case, a TOI report stated. The case has been registered in Ghaziabad after the task force discovered new evidence in the case, the inspector, Mohit Agrawal, is currently untraceable.
As per investigators, the case relates to a large-scale tax fraud involving shell firms and fake e-way bills and invoices. An FIR has been registered at Kavi Nagar police station in Ghaziabad. The Special Task Force arrested four accused on Friday, Delhi-based scrap dealer Hardeep Singh, also known as Prince, along with Jitendra Jha, Punit Agrawal and Shivam Singh, reports TOI.
The STF said the syndicate created bogus companies and generated fake e-way bills to illegally claim input tax credit, resulting in an estimated loss of nearly Rs 100 crore to the exchequer. During the investigation, evidence emerged suggesting that inspector Agrawal provided departmental support to the group in exchange for bribes.
Investigators also pointed to the role of Alok, a Haryana-based facilitator who allegedly supplied fake firms to Hardeep Singh for a lump-sum commission. One such entity, Adon Automobile, was linked to Punit Agrawal. Although the firm was suspended three months ago, it was allegedly reinstated through the intervention of inspector Agrawal, who reportedly accepted Rs 40,000 for the favour.
The STF claims the inspector collected lakhs of rupees by extending similar assistance to multiple firms. WhatsApp chats recovered from Punit Agrawal’s mobile phone allegedly contain details of payments and manipulation of official records.
“Inspector Agrawal’s role has clearly emerged. He was an active part of the syndicate and was therefore named as an accused,” a senior STF officer privy to the investigation told TOI.
The probe is ongoing, and more arrests are expected as the STF widens the investigation.
(With inputs from TOI)
