Jharkhand: ED arrests Jamshedpur businessman, son in ₹734 crore GST scam
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Jamshedpur businessman Gyanchand Jaiswal, also known as Bablu Jaiswal, and his son Raj Jaiswal on 30 September 2026 in connection with an alleged GST fraud worth approximately ₹734 crore. A Special PMLA Court subsequently sent both to judicial custody after they were produced for custody proceedings on Thursday, officials confirmed.
How the Arrests Unfolded
The ED conducted raids across multiple locations — including Jamshedpur, Adityapur, Gamharia, and Kolkata — before taking the duo into custody. Following mandatory medical examinations, the accused were transported to Ranchi, where they were interrogated about the alleged fraudulent GST transactions and the associated money trail. Officials said the agency questioned them at length before producing them before the Special Court.
The Alleged Fraud: Fake Invoices and Shell Companies
According to the ED, the case centres on the alleged use of fake invoices to claim input tax credit (ITC) without any actual purchase or sale of goods taking place. Investigators suspect large-scale misuse of ITC was carried out through a network of shell companies and paper transactions. The initial probe was led by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Jamshedpur, before the ED took over under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Evidence Seized and Associates Searched
During the Wednesday operation, the ED searched premises linked to Gyanchand Jaiswal, his auditor Sanjay Parekh, and several other individuals. Investigators examined business documents, GST-related records, banking and financial transaction files, and electronic devices. The agency has reportedly uncovered several companies and fraudulent transactions linked to the network, officials said.
Prior Legal History and Wider Investigation
This is not the first time Gyanchand Jaiswal has faced legal action in this matter. According to a 2024 order of the Jharkhand High Court, he was arrested in June 2024 in a case registered under the GST Act and was remanded to judicial custody at that time. The ED also took action against several other businessmen from Jamshedpur and Kolkata in connection with this case in 2025, indicating that investigators believe the alleged fraud network extends well beyond the Jaiswal family. The agency continues to map the full scale of transactions and entities involved.