GST scam: Key accused held from Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: The state goods and service tax (SGST) department has arrested a key accused in the Bhavnagar bogus billing scam from Ahmedabad.
Mohammad Tata, the accused, is allegedly associated with around 121 shell companies and is the mastermind of the Rs 739 crore bogus billing scam through which input tax credit (ITC) of Rs 134 crore was claimed, said sources.
The GST officials believe the interrogation of Mohammad Tata will lead to further revelations in the case. So far, the department has arrested 10 people in the case.
State GST additional commissioner Milind Kavatkar said, "This is the biggest bogus billing scam so far and involves 121 bogus companies. We initiated the investigation in June 2021. In the raids conducted in Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad and other places in July 2021, we seized digital data and other materials. Metal traders from Bhavnagar were found to be involved in the scam, including Madhav Copper. So far, we have made 10 arrests."
Mohammad Abbas Savjani alias Mohammad Tata, and his aides allegedly obtained documents from the poor and used those to register bogus firms on the GST portal. These firms generated fake invoices without transporting goods to claim ITC. "These people had generated fake invoices of around Rs 739 crore and claimed input tax credit of Rs 134 crore.
We have recovered Rs 60 crore and are in the process of recovering more money. Mohammad Tata was on the run, and we had issued summons and lookout circulars to ensure he did not leave the country. We nabbed him from SG Road in Ahmedabad . We produced him before the chief magistrate and have been granted his remand till 4pm on Wednesday," the official said.