Rs 512-Crore Fake GST Scam Busted In Madhya Pradesh, Mastermind Arrested

BHOPAL, June 30: In what could be one of the biggest GST frauds uncovered in central India, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has unearthed a fake invoicing scam worth Rs 512 crore and fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims of Rs 130 crore. The alleged mastermind, Vinod Sahay, also known by his aliases NK Khare and Neelu Sonkar, has been arrested from Ranchi and brought to Jabalpur on transit remand.

Sahay, originally from Tibri village in Jabalpur, had allegedly been operating a well-organised scam since 2009, using multiple fake identities and running a network of over 23 shell companies across several states. These companies existed only on paper, with no real business operations, goods, or services, but were used to generate fake GST invoices and siphon off massive tax credits.

Investigators say these entities showed extensive trade on paper but had no connection to any physical stock, warehouse, or logistics chain.

The EOW has identified more than 150 bank accounts linked to Sahay and his network. Raids at his residence led to the seizure of forged documents, GST bill books, Aadhaar and PAN cards, fake transport receipts, and digital identities.

The syndicate had its operational footprint across Jabalpur, Nagpur, Bilaspur, Korba, and Ranchi. Officials suspect the fraud was carefully crafted using digital loopholes and fake identity layering to avoid detection for over a decade.

Sahay will remain in police custody until July 2, and sources in the EOW say this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. "This appears to be the biggest GST scam we've come across in the region," an investigating officer told NDTV. "The network is deep and may involve several layers of accomplices, including financial operatives."

As the investigation expands, authorities are also probing potential links to interstate financial crime networks and the misuse of digital identities.

Indian Railways to hike passenger fares from July 1: Report

NEW DELHI, June 24: The Indian Railways is set implement marginal hike in passenger fares starting July 1 across various classes of long-distance trains, including AC and non-AC Mail and Express services.

According to avialbale information, fares for non-AC Mail and Express trains will increase by 1 paise per kilometre, while AC class fares will see a hike of 2 paise per kilometre.

According to the revised fare structure set to take effect on July 1, 2025, there will be no change in fares for suburban trains and monthly season tickets. In Ordinary Second Class, fares will remain unchanged for journeys up to 500 kilometres.

However, for distances exceeding 500 kilometres, fares will increase by 0.5 paise per kilometre.

The Ministry of Railways has also mandated Aadhaar authentication for all Tatkal ticket bookings via the IRCTC website and app, effective July 1, 2025. The move, announced through a directive on June 10, is aimed at curbing misuse of the Tatkal scheme and ensuring tickets are allocated to genuine users.

Key accused in Baba Siddique's murder case arrested in Canada

MUMBAI, June 11: Zeeshan Akhtar, a key accused in the murder case of NCP leader Baba Siddique, has been arrested in Canada, Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam said on Wednesday night.

Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants near his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar on October 12, 2024.

Akhtar, 22, was held in a fake passport case, according to sources.

Kadam said that the government has initiated the process to bring Akhtar back to India.

"Zeeshan, who was involved in the Baba Siddiqui murder case, has been arrested in Canada. We have initiated the process to bring him back to India. We will interrogate him further (after bringing him back)," said Kadam.

On October 12, 2024, three armed men shot Baba Siddique in Khernagar, Bandra East, as he was leaving his son’s office around 9:15 pm. The main shooter, Shivkumar Gautam, allegedly fired six rounds, three of which hit Siddique’s upper body. He died within an hour at Lilavati Hospital.

11 Dead In Stampede Outside Bengaluru Stadium Amid RCB Celebrations

BENGALURU, June 4: The frenzied celebration in Bengaluru over RCB winning the IPL after 18 long years took a tragic turn with at least 11 people feared dead in a stampede. The chaos began after a crowd gathered near M Chinnaswamy Stadium for a felicitation of the team held by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).

A huge crowd had also gathered outside the Vidhana Soudha, where the RCB squad proceeded from the airport to meet with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Visuals showed police shifting injured and unconscious people to a nearby hospital. Many people who came to watch the celebrations fainted amid the stampede, eyewitnesses said.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the crowd was "uncontrollable". "I apologise for the overcrowding," Shivakumar said. "We arranged more than 5,000 personnel. This is a young vibrant crowd, we can't use lathi on them."

"I have spoken to the Police Commissioner. I will also go to the hospital later. I do not want to disturb the doctors who are taking care of the patients. The exact number cannot be told now. We appeal to the people to remain calm. We shortened the programme; it ended within 10 minutes... Lakhs of people came," Shivakumar told reporters.

The scenes at some Bengaluru Metro stations near the stadium also showed huge crowds coming out of trains and taking the stairs.

At the nearby Bowring Hospital, ambulances carrying injured people continued to arrive, drop them, and head back again to the stadium.

At least 34 dead in India's northeast after heavy floods

BHUBANESWAR, June 2: At least 34 people have died in India's northeastern region after heavy floods caused landslides over the last four days, authorities and media said on Monday, and the weather department predicted more heavy rain.

More than a thousand tourists trapped in the Himalayan state of Sikkim were being evacuated on Monday, a government statement said, and army rescue teams were pressed into service in Meghalaya state to rescue more than 500 people stranded in flooded areas.

Rs 1 Crore Cash, Gold, Silver Worth Crores Found In Raids On IRS Officer

NEW DELHI, June 2: Piles of cash worth Rs 1 crore, multiple pieces of gold jewellery and silver and gold coins valued at Rs 3.5 crore were seized after raids on premises linked to a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer in Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab today.

The CBI seized 3.5 kg of gold, 2 kg of silver and Rs 1 crore cash during searches at the premises of officer Amit Kumar Singal, who was arrested, along with one of his associates, in a Rs 25-lakh bribery case on Sunday.

Singal is a 2007 batch IRS officer and was posted as the additional director general at the Directorate of Taxpayer Services in Delhi.

"The Central Bureau of Investigation has conducted searches at various premises and recovered substantial assets and incriminating material, including approximately 3.5 kg of Gold and 2 kg of Silver, valued at around Rs 3.5 crore and cash amounting to Rs 1 crore approximately," a CBI official said.

It was revealed during the probe that the officer had properties in Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab.

"Documents of a locker and 25 bank accounts with various banks; and documents of immovable properties and assets located in Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab. The total value of all movable and immovable assets is yet to be ascertained," the official added.

A case was registered against Singal by the CBI on Saturday based on allegations that the public servant demanded illegal gratification of Rs 45 lakhs from the complainant, a pizza chain owner, in exchange for extending favourable treatment from the Revenue Department.

He had allegedly demanded a total bribe amount of Rs 45 lakh to settle an income-tax notice issued to Sanam Kapoor, owner of La Pino'z Pizza, according to the CBI FIR.

The demand was accompanied by threats of legal action, imposition of heavy penalties, and harassment in case of non-compliance, the complainant said.

The complainant was asked to deliver the first instalment of Rs 25 lakh to his residence in Punjab's Mohali on Saturday.

The CBI then laid a trap and caught the accused's associate, Harsh Kotak, red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 25 lakhs from the complainant on behalf of the accused.

Singal was arrested from his home in Delhi's Vasant Kunj the same day.

Both the accused were produced before the designated court on Sunday, which sent them to judicial custody for 14 days.