Dept unearths Rs355 crore GST scam; 5 cases lodged

Tribune News Service

Panipat, September 13

The state Excise and Taxation Department has unearthed a GST scam involving seven companies, which fraudulently claimed input tax credit worth Rs 123.60 crore through bogus invoices worth Rs 355.84 crore. On paper, all seven firms were shown to be based out of Sonepat district.

The police have registered five cases against owners of as many bogus firms under the IPC and the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956.

Sources say the seven bogus firms are Bawa International, Kundli; Jogender International, Rai; The Best Overseas, Sonepat; AS Enterprises, Sonepat; Vimal Plastic Industries, Rai; Tarun Enterprises, Rai; and Gautam Enterprises, Rai.

The owners of the bogus firms did not upload any proof of ownership or rent agreement while registering the firms on the GST portal in the last financial year. Instead, they uploaded forged documents and bank details.

Surender Singh, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner (Sales), said the seven firms came under scanner because of their huge turnover (Rs 355.84 crore) and input tax credit claims.

“The department has recommended the police to register criminal cases against the proprietors of the bogus firms. Of the Rs 123.60 crore input tax credit, the department has blocked the input tax credit to the tune of 6.24 crore. The pending amount of Rs 117.36 crore will also be recovered,” he added.