CGST official caught conducting 'bogus' raid in Surat

In what may seem a copy of 'Special 26', conmen posing as Central GST officials raided a garment shop in Varachha and extorted Rs 12 lakh threatening actions against the textile businessman for tax evasion.

However, what sets this real life con apart from the Bollywood version is that one member of the gang was an actual CGST official!

The police arrested three persons, including a Central GST superintendent and a driver of the department working on contract basis, for allegedly extorting Rs 12 lakh from the victim.

The accused took Rs 7 lakh in cash from the shop in Bombay Market and forcibly took another Rs 5 lakh after taking the complainant to his home.

The accused initially demanded Rs 45 lakh for an unofficial settlement against the GST of Rs 80 lakh.

After discussion, the amount got reduced to Rs 15 lakh and ultimately settled at Rs 12 lakh.

The accused was carrying a file with a symbol of CGST department.

After entering the shop he locked the door and asked the shop owner to turn off the CCTV camera.

They then informed the complainant that his turnover is in crores and he did not pay tax on it.

They informed Rajpurohit that he is supposed to pay Rs 80 lakh as CGST. After discussion, Sharma demanded Rs 45 lakh to settle the case unofficially.

Rajpurohit showed inability to pay the amount. Finally, the accused demanded Rs 15 lakh.

Rajpurohit had Rs 7 lakh in the shop which he handed over to the accused.

Under pressure, Rajpurohit took the accused to his home and gave another Rs 5 lakh. Later, the accused dropped Rajpurohit back in his shop and left.

Rajpurohit informed his CA about the incident. His CA told him that normally CGST officers do not conduct such raids like this. After this, Rajpurohit approached the police and lodged a complaint.