Tax fraud: ED conducts raids in Sirsa, Kaithal, Fatehabad

Anil Kakkar

Sirsa, July 9

Teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today conducted raids at multiple locations in Sirsa in connection with a multi-crore tax evasion case.

According to officials, the Rs 10,618 crore tax evasion case spreads across 10 districts in the state. In Sirsa, fake firms have caused Rs 300 crore loss to exchequer.

The ED raided homes and shops of alleged fake firm operators as well as the residences and businesses of their close associates. They seized records related to fake firms and properties and other pertinent documents.

The raids began early in the morning in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Kaithal. Till the filing of the report, the raids were still being conducted.

Sources said the ED raided a mansion, an old house, and a shop of the main accused, Mahesh Bansal. Another suspect, Padam Bansal, also faced raids at his home and shop. Additionally, the ED raided a house in the New Housing Board Colony and another residence on Janata Bhavan Road.

ED teams also conducted raids in Fatehabad at businessman Ramesh Arora’s residence and at the Kaithal home of a former ETO officer from Sirsa. The trio, Mahesh, Ramesh and Padam, came to be known as “MRP” after their names surfaced in the tax evasion case.

The homes of two former DETC officers in Sirsa were also searched. ED officials refused to divulge the details of the raid. The presence of the ED in Sirsa has created a significant stir across the state, forcing fake firm operators to go into hiding.

The ED’s action has also caused a commotion in the Excise and Taxation Department. Current and retired officials and employees in Sirsa are fearful of being implicated. There have been allegations of many officials being involved in tax evasion activities.