The Central Goods and Services Tax (GST) department has made a significant arrest in a major tax evasion case involving the pharmaceutical trade. Officials from the Rohtak CGST commissionerate have taken into custody Sonipat-based pharmaceutical trader Pawel Garg for alleged large-scale irregularities in the trade of medicinal goods.
Raid and Seizure at Sonipat Industrial Unit
Prior to the arrest, a dedicated team from the central GST office in Rohtak conducted an extensive search operation. The raid targeted the premises of Combitic Global Caplet Private Limited, located in Sonipat's industrial area. The search continued for several hours, during which officers meticulously combed through company records.
Officials seized a trove of documents linked to income records and business transactions. The seized material, according to the department, provided clear indications of significant financial irregularities and suspected unaccounted sales.
Massive Unaccounted Sales and GST Evasion Uncovered
Based on the preliminary analysis of the seized records, investigators suspect that the company carried out sales of pharmaceutical goods worth approximately Rs 118.49 crore that were not properly accounted for. The department's statement highlighted that this massive figure included a GST component of around Rs 21.30 crore, which was allegedly collected but never deposited with the government treasury.
During intense questioning, the trader, Pawel Garg, could not produce convincing documentary proof to substantiate the sale of medicines worth the detected amount. This failure to provide valid documentation directly led to his arrest by the CGST team.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
The department has booked the accused under Section 132 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. This section deals with serious offences and penalties related to tax evasion. Officials suspect that promoter Pawel Garg played a key role in allegedly operating these activities, possibly in coordination with other individuals.
Following his arrest, Garg was produced before the duty magistrate in Sonipat. The magistrate ordered his judicial custody. The Assistant Commissioner of CGST Sonipat has confirmed that the investigation is very much ongoing. Further legal steps will be initiated after a detailed and comprehensive analysis of all the seized documents is completed.
This case underscores the heightened vigilance of tax authorities against evasion in the high-value pharmaceutical sector, sending a strong message to businesses operating in the region.
