The Ahmedabad Crime Branch made headlines on Tuesday with the arrest of senior journalist Mahesh Langa, who is associated with the prominent newspaper 'The Hindu.' This significant development came in the context of an ongoing investigation into a GST-related fraud case that has garnered widespread attention. The arrest occurred following a series of coordinated raids conducted by the crime branch at a total of 14 different locations across several cities, including Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Surat, Kheda, and Bhavnagar. These raids were initiated in response to a formal complaint filed by the Central GST department, which had raised concerns about potential fraudulent activities linked to multiple companies.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that during the raid at Langa’s residence, law enforcement officials uncovered a substantial amount of evidence, including Rs 20 lakh in cash, various pieces of gold jewelry, and important land-related documents. This discovery raised further suspicions about Langa’s involvement in the alleged fraudulent schemes.
According to the crime branch, they received critical intelligence indicating that more than 200 fake companies were reportedly engaged in complex fraud operations designed to exploit the GST system. These firms allegedly facilitated tax evasion through the use of counterfeit input tax credits. To carry out their fraudulent activities, the companies reportedly utilized forged identities and falsified documents, effectively allowing them to circumvent the duties they owed to the government.
As part of the ongoing investigation, officials from the Central GST department discovered forged documents bearing the names of Mahesh Langa's wife and father. These documents were allegedly used to conduct suspicious transactions within the framework of these fake companies, raising serious questions about the extent of the fraudulent activities.
In a statement, the crime branch elaborated on the initial findings, suggesting the existence of a large-scale conspiracy aimed at defrauding the government of a significant amount of revenue, which could potentially reach into the crores of rupees. This extensive fraud was purportedly executed through fake billing practices, fraudulent documentation, and deliberate misrepresentation of financial facts.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajit Rajian provided further details regarding the arrest, indicating that Langa was taken into custody following an in-depth and detailed questioning process. The authorities are keen on piecing together the various elements of the case to establish a clearer picture of the network involved in these illicit activities.
In addition to the arrest of Langa, the crime branch has proactively registered a First Information Report (FIR) against several other individuals and entities believed to be involved in this complex web of fraud. Some of the companies named in the FIR include Dhruvi Enterprise, Om Construction, Raj Infra, Haresh Construction Company, and DA Enterprise, all of which are under scrutiny as part of the investigation. The crime branch is determined to follow the leads and gather more evidence as they delve deeper into the case, aiming to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent operations and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The developments in this case continue to unfold, and it is expected that further revelations will emerge as the investigation progresses.
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