A Central GST inspector posted in New Delhi has been implicated as an accused in a massive tax evasion racket worth approximately Rs 100 crore, uncovered by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). The case has laid bare a troubling nexus between tax officials and a network of fraudulent shell companies.
Key Arrests and the Fleeing Inspector
The STF, on Friday, arrested four individuals in connection with the elaborate scam. Those arrested are New Delhi-based scrap dealer Hardeep Singh, also known as Prince, along with Jitendra Jha, Punit Agrawal, and Shivam Singh. However, the investigation took a significant turn when evidence pointed to the involvement of a government official.
Central GST Inspector Mohit Agrawal has been named as an accused for allegedly providing departmental protection and manipulating records in exchange for bribes. Inspector Agrawal is currently absconding, and STF teams have been deployed to trace and arrest him, officials stated on Sunday.
Modus Operandi of the Fraud Syndicate
The case, registered at the Kavi Nagar police station in Ghaziabad, centers on a large-scale Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud. The syndicate is accused of floating multiple shell companies and generating fake e-way bills and forged invoices. This elaborate setup was used to illegally claim input tax credit (ITC), causing an estimated loss of nearly Rs 100 crore to the government exchequer.
Investigators revealed that a Haryana-based facilitator, identified as Alok, allegedly supplied fake firms to the main accused, Hardeep Singh, for a lump-sum commission.
Inspector's Alleged Role and WhatsApp Evidence
During the probe, evidence surfaced showing Inspector Mohit Agrawal's active role in aiding the operation. STF officers allege he accepted bribes to perform several illicit acts:
- Restoring suspended GSTINs of fraudulent firms.
- Shielding fake entities from departmental scrutiny.
- Manipulating official records to benefit the syndicate.
A specific instance involves a firm named Adon Automobile, linked to accused Punit Agrawal. The firm was suspended around three months ago but was allegedly restored following Inspector Agrawal's intervention. Investigators claim he accepted Rs 40,000 as a bribe for this favour.
Furthermore, WhatsApp chats recovered from Punit Agrawal's phone allegedly contain detailed discussions about illicit payments and record manipulation. This digital evidence is crucial to the case and indicates that the net of investigation is widening.
Widening Probe and Likely More Arrests
The STF has indicated that more arrests are likely as investigators expand their net across Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states. The case highlights a systemic vulnerability where corrupt officials can exploit their positions to enable significant financial fraud.
The ongoing investigation continues to uncover the depth of collusion between tax officials and organized fraud rings, signaling a stern crackdown on such networks that drain public resources.
