TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 2, 2025: The State GST Department has taken stringent action against businessmen evading taxes in Narayanpur district. On May 31, a surprise investigation was conducted at the business premises of M/s Arihant Steel, Narayanpur, where officials found alarming violations of GST regulations.
The investigation team discovered that the businessman had failed to maintain mandatory accounting records or software such as Tally at the business site. The businessman admitted that all bills were issued by a tax consultant, raising strong suspicions of tax evasion. Records showed that from 2021-22 to 2024-25, the company’s turnover exceeded Rs 16 crore, but tax payments made so far were only Rs 43,000 in cash.
Further scrutiny of e-way bills revealed that goods worth Rs 8.21 crore were purchased during the same period without any e-way bills issued for their supply. This suggested sales to common consumers with the issuance of bogus input tax bills to other businessmen, causing significant revenue loss to both the state and central governments.
Although the businessman voluntarily offered to pay Rs 10 lakh in taxes, he failed to provide accounting books or stock documents supporting an estimated inventory worth Rs 90 lakh. Attempts were made to intimidate the investigation team by summoning media personnel and local businessmen, but officials remained firm.
Due to the non-cooperative behavior and strong evidence of tax evasion, the GST department sealed the business premises in the presence of local police, and further investigation is ongoing.
