The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested four individuals in connection with a massive GST fraud case that involved fake billing and shell companies. The accused, Faisal Sheikh (32), Irfan Jethva (42), Jignesh Desai (50), and Paresh Dodiya (25), were arrested in connection with Dhruvi Enterprise, a shell company that used fraudulent methods to claim fake input tax credits (ITC) worth over Rs50,000 crore.
The investigation was initiated by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) after they discovered that Dhruvi Enterprise had obtained a GST registration in March 2023 using a forged rental agreement. The tax department later cancelled the registration, triggering a closer look at the company’s operations.
Faisal Sheikh from Bhavnagar was accused of managing the Dhruvi Enterprise file, while Irfan Jethva, also known as Padu Sattar Jethva, ran the business. Jignesh Desai is accused of managing the firm’s bank account, and Paresh Dodiya, based in Rajkot, is the proprietor of Prakash Industries, which was allegedly used in the fraudulent scheme.
Earlier in the week, the Crime Branch discovered that the documents of Haresh Makwana, a daily wage worker from Gadhada in Bhavnagar, were used to establish the shell company. The fraud was uncovered when it was revealed that fake companies had been set up to claim ITC through fabricated transactions.