'Solapur Lawyer Held In ₹100 Crore Fake GST Invoice Racket': DGGI

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has arrested Solapur-based lawyer Sajid Ahmed Sheikh for operating a fake GST racket involving over Rs100 crore through bogus invoices.

Sheikh was remanded in 14-day judicial custody and sent to Kalamba Central Jail.

According to the GST intelligence wing probe, the practising lawyer had created a network of shell 30 companies using forged and bogus documents. “The accused made bogus invoices without supplying any services and goods to later claim fraudulent input tax credits (ITC),” confirmed a senior GST official.

Acting on specific intelligence, DGGI sleuths raided Sheikh's office in Solapur and seized his computer, mobile and other electronic devices last week. The forensic analysis of the electronic devices led the GST Intelligence to raid another 12 shell companies operating in Solapur and arrested Sheikh for raising bogus invoices to claim ITC. The GST probe is expected to identify several traders, real estate developers and jewellers involved in the fake GST invoice racket.