How Did a Bulandshahr Confectioner End Up with a Rs 141 Crore Income Tax Notice?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Identity theft is a serious issue affecting small business owners.
- Proper documentation is crucial for safeguarding personal information.
- Legal action can be pursued against those who misuse personal documents.
- Authorities need to raise awareness about cybercrime risks.
- Victims should report fraudulent activities immediately.
Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 1 (NationPress) In an astonishing turn of events, a small confectioner in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district has been hit with an Income Tax (IT) notice totaling Rs 141 crore, leaving his family in a state of disbelief and distress.
Sudhir Gupta, the owner of a humble sweet shop located in the Nayaganj area of Khurja Nagar Kotwali in Bulandshahr, received a communication from the Income Tax Department alleging tax evasion amounting to Rs 1,41,28,47,126.
Upon seeing the notice, Gupta and his family were left in shock, as he stated he has never engaged in transactions of such a massive scale.
"This is beyond comprehension. I am merely a small businessman with no history of crores in business, let alone billions. The sudden arrival of such a hefty notice has devastated my family," Gupta told IANS.
Initial investigations indicate that certain companies based in Delhi allegedly exploited Gupta's Aadhaar and PAN cards to facilitate transactions worth billions. These companies used his documents fraudulently, portraying large business dealings and shifting the burden of tax evasion onto him.
In response, Gupta lodged a formal complaint at the local police station, leading to the registration of an FIR and the commencement of an investigation.
Gupta mentioned that this isn’t an isolated incident, as he had previously received a similar notice in 2022.
"We urge the police to ensure justice and impose strict measures against the offenders. It appears that someone misused my Aadhaar and PAN to establish firms and conduct enormous transactions without fulfilling tax obligations," Gupta added.
Authorities confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and assured the family that appropriate measures would be taken.
Meanwhile, Gupta continues to endure stress while awaiting clarity from the authorities.
Cybercrime experts have cautioned that the presence of fake identities and forged documents indicates organized criminal networks that often target small traders and laborers lacking digital literacy.