What Led to the ED's Property Attachments in Bengal's GST Fraud Case?
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Synopsis
In a significant move against GST fraud, the ED has seized properties in West Bengal linked to a major syndicate. This crackdown underscores the ongoing battle against financial crimes in India. Explore the intricate details of this investigation and the high-profile individuals involved.
Key Takeaways
- The ED has seized properties worth Rs 15.41 crore in connection with a GST fraud.
- Amit Gupta is the key figure behind the fraudulent activities.
- The total attachment in this case has reached Rs 20.70 crore.
- The fraud involved bogus GST invoices totaling Rs 794 crore.
- Further investigations are ongoing to uncover more details.
Kolkata, Sep 30 (NationPress) The Ranchi division of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced on Tuesday that officials have seized 10 immovable properties valued at Rs 15.41 crore in Kolkata and Howrah, West Bengal, as part of an extensive goods and services tax (GST) input tax credit (ITC) fraud investigation.
A press release from the ED indicated that the attached properties belong to Amit Gupta, a key figure in the fraudulent syndicate along with his associates.
The actions were executed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
To date, the cumulative value of assets attached in this case has reached nearly Rs 20.70 crore, as reported by the ED.
The investigation was initiated following a complaint from the Jamshedpur branch of the Director General of GST Intelligence in Jharkhand.
During the inquiry, ED officials discovered that the deceit involved the establishment of multiple shell companies operating not only in Jharkhand but also in West Bengal and Odisha.
The probe revealed that the syndicate issued bogus GST invoices with ITC totaling approximately Rs 794 crore for non-existent goods.
This operation was conducted in two phases, with the initial phase involving the issuance of forged ITC and the second phase focusing on selling this fraudulent ITC to entities in exchange for significant commissions.
The ED's findings suggest that the fraudsters amassed a total commission of nearly Rs 67 crore from their illicit activities.
The initial investigation by the Director General of GST Intelligence triggered Amit Gupta to convert his earned commissions into assets registered under the names of family and close associates, many of which were confiscated by ED officials on Monday.
In addition to Gupta, the ED apprehended three other suspects: Sumit Gupta, Amit Agarwal, and S.K. Deora.
All suspects are currently in judicial custody.
The investigation has confirmed that the syndicate generated a commission of around Rs 67 crore from these unlawful activities, which are considered as proceeds of crime.
Amit Gupta served as the main financial operator, playing a vital role in laundering this illicit income by purchasing numerous immovable properties.
The investigation uncovered Gupta's intentional efforts to hide these assets by transferring them to relatives and associates in the wake of the investigation initiated by the Director General of GST Intelligence.
The ED has already submitted a prosecution complaint against the accused to the Special PMLA Court in Ranchi, which has acknowledged the offense.
Additionally, a previous provisional attachment order was issued on July 3, 2025, seizing properties worth Rs 5.29 crore belonging to syndicate leader S.K. Deora.
The current seizure of properties valued at Rs 15.41 crore is part of ongoing efforts to track and attach the proceeds of crime.
Further investigations continue.
Point of View
I firmly believe that the decisive actions taken by the Enforcement Directorate in this GST fraud case reflect the government's commitment to tackling financial crime. It's essential for public trust that these fraudulent activities are addressed, ensuring accountability and transparency in our economic systems.
NationPress
30/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GST fraud case about?
The GST fraud case involves a syndicate that illegally issued bogus GST invoices, resulting in significant financial losses to the government through fraudulent input tax credits.
Who is Amit Gupta?
Amit Gupta is identified as a primary mastermind behind the GST fraud syndicate, involved in laundering illicit commissions and acquiring properties.
What actions have been taken by the ED?
The Enforcement Directorate has attached properties worth Rs 15.41 crore and arrested several individuals linked to the fraud, including Amit Gupta.
What is the total value of the properties attached in this case?
The total value of properties attached in this case stands at nearly Rs 20.70 crore.
What law is applicable in this case?
The case is being handled under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
