Your PAN card & GST number aren't as safe as you think! 😲🔓 4 ‘misuse’ PAN card, GST number of Bengaluru businessman, held for tax evasion

The Bengaluru cybercrime police arrested four people for alleged tax evasion by misusing the PAN card and Goods and Services Tax (GST) number of a businessman.

The accused, identified as G Delhi Babu, a native of Tamil Nadu; R Janaki Ram Reddy, Hire Lal, and Tej Raj Giriya, are all residents of Bengaluru.

The case originated from a complaint lodged by Hameed Rizwan in 2018. Rizwan, who had been operating a firm named ARS Enterprises since 2011, possessed a Trader Identification Number (TIN) but ceased business activities in 2013.

With the introduction of the GST system in 2017, Rizwan transitioned from TIN to GST. However, in 2017-18, he faced legal action from the commercial tax authorities for non-payment of GST.

Rizwan clarified that his company had not engaged in any transactions since 2013 and provided supporting documents. Upon discovering that unidentified individuals were exploiting his PAN card and GST number to evade taxes, Rizwan filed a complaint.

After a six-year investigation, the police arrested the four suspects. It was revealed that they had been conducting business under Rizwan’s name since 2016-17. The accused had opened bank accounts using Rizwan’s PAN card and GST number but did not pay the applicable GST.

The magnitude of the tax evasion is believed to be substantial, amounting to several crores of rupees, police sources said.