In a significant breakthrough, the Sirsa police have apprehended the mastermind behind a multi-crore Goods and Services Tax (GST) scam, identified as Padam Bansal, in a targeted operation conducted in Delhi's Dwarka area. The arrest marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into a complex web of fraudulent activities involving several individuals and entities.
Padam Bansal, the prime accused in the case, was presented before a local court in Sirsa on Friday, subsequently being remanded into police custody for a period of four days. This development comes on the heels of prior arrests made in connection with the fraudulent GST scheme, including Padam Bansal's son, Amit Bansal, his wife Asha Rani, and nephews Kapil and Mahesh Bansal, all of whom are believed to be deeply implicated in the illicit operation.
According to Sirsa's Superintendent of Police (SP), Vikrant Bhushan, the accused, in collaboration with his family members and close associates, orchestrated a sophisticated scheme that involved the creation of 21 shell companies using counterfeit Aadhaar card and PAN details. These sham enterprises were employed to generate electronic-way (e-way) bills and fraudulently claim input tax credits from the government for an extended duration.
Over the years, the perpetrators managed to secure refunds from the government by submitting fraudulent documents, such as fabricated rent agreements, spurious electricity bills, and falsified PAN card details. The ill-gotten gains from this operation reportedly amount to a staggering ₹6 crore.
Both Padam Bansal and his son Amit Bansal are now under police remand, with Amit's detention extending to three days, in order to extract additional information and details pertaining to their involvement in the scam.
The SP further revealed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) overseeing the case has made a total of 18 arrests thus far, including two government officials who were implicated in the fraudulent scheme. It has also come to light that the accused used the names of their drivers and workers to register the fictitious firms, strategically spreading their operations across Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
The arrest of the alleged mastermind, Padam Bansal, and the ongoing investigation underscore the challenges posed by fraudulent activities in the GST domain and the authorities' unwavering commitment to unearthing such malpractices. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and rigorous oversight in the realm of taxation and commerce to maintain the integrity of the system.
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