UKHRUL: The Anti-Evasion wing of the Central GST (CGST), Dimapur, has arrested the director of two mining companies in Nagaland for allegedly orchestrating a Rs 53.28 crore GST fraud, officials said on Monday.
The accused, Atiqur Rahman Barbhuiya, director of Bendangtoshi Mining Pvt Ltd and Kevitho Mining Pvt Ltd, was arrested on January 10 following an investigation into the fraudulent availment of input tax credit (ITC) through fake invoicing without any actual supply of goods. Both firms are engaged in the trade of coal and coke PTI reported.
According to CGST officials, scrutiny of GST returns revealed that Bendangtoshi Mining allegedly availed fraudulent ITC of Rs 27.52 crore, while Kevitho Mining claimed Rs 25.76 crore, taking the total alleged fraud to Rs 53.28 crore.
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Investigators found that the companies issued invoices without movement of goods and failed to furnish mandatory documents such as e-way bills, transport records and bank statements. Physical verification further revealed that the firms were either non-existent or non-operational at their registered business addresses.
Barbhuiya was arrested under Sections 132(1)(b) and 132(1)(c) of the CGST Act, 2017. The offences are cognisable and non-bailable. Officials said further investigation is underway to identify other individuals and entities linked to the alleged GST evasion network.