The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today launched a series of searches across multiple locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged money laundering case involving the creation of fraudulent Goods and Services Tax (GST) invoices, sources said.
The coordinated operation was conducted at nine premises spread across the cities of Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Kolkata. The raids are aimed at uncovering evidence related to the suspected misuse of the GST system to generate fake invoices on a massive scale.
According to preliminary findings, the ED has identified three individuals — Shiv Kumar Deora, Sumit Gupta, and Amit Gupta — as key suspects in the case. The trio is believed to have orchestrated the generation of fictitious invoices totaling an estimated ₹14,325 crore.
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The false documents were allegedly used to claim ineligible input tax credit (ITC) exceeding ₹800 crore, resulting in significant financial losses to the public exchequer.
The Enforcement Directorate is conducting these searches under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Officials involved in the operation are seeking to recover documents, digital records, and assets that may be linked to the proceeds of the alleged crime.
The case highlights the growing use of shell companies and fictitious transactions in complex tax evasion schemes.
The ED’s action is part of a broader effort by enforcement agencies to clamp down on financial crimes and protect the integrity of India’s taxation system.
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