SNE NETWORK.CHANDIGARH.
The finance department has exposed 20 such firms, which were stealing GST worth crores of rupees. These firms very cleverly set up their network so that the names of the real managers could not be revealed. For this, they targeted common laborers and unemployed people. They were lured with a daily wage of Rs 800 and their PAN card, Aadhar card and other documents were taken by saying that payment will be made in their accounts.
Later, companies were created in fake names with the same documents and GST registration was done. The bank accounts of these firms were already open.
In this way, a total scam of Rs 866 crore has come to light. In this, the GST theft done in the name of taxi services alone was Rs 157.22 crore. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said that so far in the investigation, important evidence like Rs 40 lakh in cash, fake bill book and unsigned check book have been found. A case has been registered in Ludhiana in this matter. Sarabjit Singh is the main accused in this scam, action is underway to catch him.
Key role of Ludhiana accountant
The key role of an accountant from Ludhiana has come to the fore in this scam. He started this fraud in the year 2023. So far, he alone has made fake tax credit of Rs 157.22 crore. According to an official of the Taxation Department, the accused prepared fake bills in 2023-24 and showed transactions of Rs 249 crore and claimed input tax credit (ITC) of Rs 45.12 crore on the basis of this.
After this, in 2024-25, ITC of Rs 104.08 crore was taken by showing fake turnover of Rs 569.54 crore. In the first two months of this year alone, fake tax credit of Rs 8.01 crore was claimed by showing transactions of Rs 47.25 crore. The investigation agencies are now keeping an eye on other people associated with this network. Many more names may come out soon.
Case registered against transport company too
A company named Transporter Maa Durga Road Lines has also committed fraud by making fake e-way bills of Rs 168. This e-way bill was made using the certificates of Ludhiana based firms. Which showed the movement of goods from Ludhiana to Delhi. Whereas in reality no vehicle had entered Punjab.