CBI Raids 7 Places in Bihar, J’khand in ₹100-crore GST Fraud Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a massive raid on seven locations in Bihar and Jharkhand in connection with a alleged ₹100-crore Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud case. The raids, which were conducted on Saturday, targeted five customs officers, including the additional commissioner GST, Patna, who have been accused of claiming GST through bogus export bills.
According to reports, the CBI conducted searches at two locations in Patna, two in Purnea, and one each in Jamshedpur, Nalanda, and Munger. The agency has seized various documents and digital evidence from the raided premises, which are expected to provide crucial clues in the investigation.
The case, which is said to be one of the largest GST frauds in the country, involves a massive scam in which the accused customs officers allegedly claimed GST on fake export bills. The scam is believed to have taken place over a period of several years, with the accused officers using their official positions to siphon off public funds.
The CBI has registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), and 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), as well as sections of the GST Act.
The investigation is still ongoing, but sources suggest that the CBI has found evidence of a sophisticated scam involving a network of fake companies and shell firms. The accused officers are believed to have created these firms, which were used to generate fake export bills and claim GST refunds.
The CBI has also found evidence of money laundering and shell companies being used to route the illegal proceeds to foreign accounts. The agency has seized several bank accounts and digital assets, which are expected to be used as evidence in the case.
The scam is believed to have come to light after a complaint was filed with the CBI by a private firm, which had been approached by the accused officers to act as a conduit for the fake export bills. The firm had refused to participate in the scam, leading the accused officers to abandon the plan.
The CBI has launched a thorough investigation into the scam, and several senior officials have been questioned in connection with the case. The agency has also seized several vehicles and properties linked to the accused officers.
The raid comes at a time when the government is cracking down on GST fraud and tax evasion. The CBI has been tasked with investigating several high-profile cases of GST fraud, and the agency has made several arrests in recent months.
The GST fraud case is just the latest in a series of high-profile scams to rock the country. In recent months, the CBI has launched investigations into several cases of corruption, including a massive bank fraud case and a scam involving the misuse of government funds.
The case is a reminder of the need for greater vigilance and accountability in the country’s tax administration. The CBI’s raid is a significant step forward in the fight against GST fraud, and it is expected to send a strong message to those involved in such scams.
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