State GST (investigation) officials in Kochi have unearthed tax evasion to the tune of crores of rupees by a Perumbavoor gang, which allegedly forged bills using iron scrap dealership as a front and misappropriated input tax. Officials conducted raids at four locations in Perumbavoor on Monday.
The department said that the raids were held with the assistance of armed police since there was information that the gang had connections with hawala-narcotic mafias.
"Based on a tip-off that huge tax evasion was taking place using scrap dealership business as a front, eight units under C G Aravind, state tax officer (STO), Kottayam, conducted searches at 12 locations on June 3 and collected statements from around 10 businessmen in the area. Based on this, it was revealed that two Perumbavoor natives, Azhar Ali and Rinshad, were behind the tax evasion," said a statement by the state GST department.
Officials said that both were issued summons multiple times but they did not appear for giving their statements. Subsequently, raids were started at 4am on Monday at the houses of those involved. The officials seized five mobile phones and documents in the raid.
"The investigation so far indicates that the gang forged bills to the tune of around Rs 125 crore and evaded tax to the tune of at least Rs 13 crore. Strict action would be taken against everyone who were involved and aided in creation of fake registrations,” said the statement.
STO Kottayam C G Aravind, STO Mattancherry Baby Mathayi and STO Alapuzha Rajagopal led the raids. KAP Tripunithura first battalion assistant commandant Anson and sub-inspector Santhosh Kumar led the 14-member armed police, which assisted in the raids.
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