The Noida Police have successfully apprehended a 40-year-old businesswoman from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, for her alleged involvement in a massive ₹10,000 crore Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud. The suspect, identified as Suganya Prabhu, was taken into custody from her residence on Race Course Road on Saturday.
Major Breakthrough in GST Fraud Case
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shakti Avasthy revealed that the arrest was carried out by the Crime Response Team of Noida Police, with assistance from local law enforcement in Tamil Nadu. Prabhu's arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into one of the largest GST fraud cases in recent history.
Details of the Scam
The Noida Police had previously disclosed on June 1 last year that they had uncovered a sophisticated operation involving the registration of thousands of companies using stolen or fake identities. These entities were then utilized to generate e-way bills and claim input tax credits (ITC) from the government, amounting to a staggering ₹10,000 crore. To date, 45 individuals have been apprehended in connection with this scam, hailing from various locations including Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Sirsa, Jaipur, and Chhindwara.
Involvement of Suganya Prabhu
Suganya Prabhu emerged as a key suspect approximately three months ago. Despite evading capture, a reward of ₹25,000 was announced by the Noida Police earlier this month for information leading to her arrest. Her trail was eventually traced to Tamil Nadu, where she was found running a lucrative metal manufacturing factory in Coimbatore. Prabhu, a multimillionaire with an estimated net worth of ₹100 crore, had reportedly availed ITC from four shell companies, resulting in a loss of ₹14.2 crore to the government exchequer.
Legal Proceedings
Following her arrest, Prabhu was booked under multiple charges including cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy as per several sections of the Indian Penal Code. She was subsequently produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody.
Ongoing Investigations
Earlier this month, on June 3, the Noida Police intensified their crackdown by invoking charges under the Gangster Act against 33 of the 45 previously arrested suspects in the GST fraud case. The investigation continues as authorities aim to dismantle the entire network behind this extensive tax evasion scheme.
Conclusion
The arrest of Suganya Prabhu signifies a crucial step forward in the battle against GST fraud, highlighting the relentless efforts of the Noida Police to bring all perpetrators to justice. The investigation is ongoing, with further developments expected as law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to uncover the full extent of the scam.
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