In a shocking incident on Tuesday night, an accountant employed with a factory in Noorwala, Panipat, was allegedly robbed of Rs 29 lakh by individuals impersonating GST officials near Samalkha bypass on the Panipat-Khatima highway.
The victim, identified as Sukhnaam, was returning from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, to Panipat along with his driver, Anil, when the incident occurred. According to the FIR lodged, their vehicle was intercepted by a group of men in a car marked with the words "Indian Govt".
How the Robbery Unfolded
Sukhnaam stated that as they reached the bypass, two men stepped out of the car and flagged them down. The accused introduced themselves as officials from the GST department. One of them entered Sukhnaam's vehicle and accused them of GST fraud, while the other snatched the bag containing ₹29 lakh in cash. They were instructed to visit a nearby police station, but the accused fled the scene with the money.
"There were more individuals inside their vehicle," said Sukhnaam, adding that their car bore markings to impersonate a government vehicle.
Investigation Underway
Following the report, police teams from Samalkha and Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh were immediately mobilized. Senior officers, including UP Deputy Inspector General of Police Abhishek Singh, Shamli Superintendent of Police Ramsewak Gautam, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar, visited the spot and initiated a joint investigation across state lines.
Authorities are examining CCTV footage from nearby toll booths and highway surveillance points, and multiple teams have been formed to trace the culprits. Police suspect a well-planned impersonation and highway heist, and are not ruling out the possibility of the culprits being part of a larger gang targeting business personnel carrying cash.
Caution for the Public
This incident highlights growing concerns around fraudsters posing as government officials, especially those claiming to represent tax enforcement agencies. Police have urged the public and businesses to verify the identity of any such officials and immediately alert authorities if suspicious behavior is noticed.
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