Senior Journalist Mahesh Langa Arrested in Alleged GST Fraud Case in Gujarat
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: In a dramatic development that has stirred both the media and political landscapes, Mahesh Langa, a senior assistant editor at The Hindu, was arrested on Tuesday morning by the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) in Gujarat. Langa, based in Gujarat, was taken into custody along with three others as part of a sweeping investigation into a massive GST input tax credit (ITC) fraud case that has implicated several businesses and political figures.
Details of the Case
The arrest of Mahesh Langa comes a day after the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) filed a complaint against 13 firms and their proprietors for allegedly committing ITC fraud. Following this complaint, the authorities moved swiftly to apprehend the accused, initiating an extensive probe into the matter. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Ajit Rajian, confirmed the arrest, revealing that the investigation team seized Rs 20 lakh in unaccounted cash, gold, and several land documents during the search.
The police have alleged that the group of firms involved in the fraud used fake bills to claim and pass on ITC illegally, causing significant losses to the government exchequer. According to the investigation, over 220 benami firms were created using forged documents to facilitate this illegal activity.
Mahesh Langa’s Alleged Involvement
While Mahesh Langa’s name does not appear directly in the FIR, the investigation has cast a shadow over his business connections. The case records mention his cousin, Manojkumar Langa, as one of the proprietors of an Ahmedabad-based firm, DA Enterprise. Police have alleged that Mahesh Langa’s wife is a partner in this firm, although neither she nor Manojkumar Langa has been arrested so far.
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According to Ahmedabad’s Commissioner of Police, Gyanender Singh Malik, Mahesh Langa’s wife, when questioned, claimed ignorance about her association with DA Enterprise or its operations. However, Malik suggested that Mahesh Langa was indeed involved in handling the firm’s affairs, which led to his arrest despite his name not being mentioned in the original complaint.
Political Figures Under Scrutiny
The investigation has also drawn attention to other significant names, including Talala BJP MLA Bhagwan Barad’s son, Ajay Barad, and his nephews, Vijaykumar Kalabhai Barad and Ramesh Kalabhai Barad. These individuals are listed as proprietors of Aryan Associates, a Veraval-based firm implicated in the alleged fraud. MLA Bhagwan Barad, who switched his allegiance from the Congress to the BJP ahead of the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections, has categorically denied any involvement in the fraudulent activities.
Barad explained that Aryan Associates had engaged in legitimate transactions with another company, which later turned out to be fraudulent. He maintained that Aryan Associates is a fully operational enterprise that even undertakes government projects. Barad assured that their legal team is actively addressing the matter to clear the family’s name from these allegations.
Reaction from The Hindu
Following Mahesh Langa’s arrest, Suresh Nambath, Editor of The Hindu, took to social media platform Bluesky to express the publication’s stance on the issue. He clarified that, based on the current information available, the case against Langa does not relate to his journalistic work or any reports published by The Hindu. Nambath further stated that the organization appreciates Langa’s professional contributions as a correspondent based in Gujarat and expressed hope for a fair and impartial investigation.
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“We do hope that no journalist anywhere is targeted for their work, and we expect the investigation to be conducted fairly and quickly,” said Nambath, reflecting concerns within the media fraternity regarding the arrest of a seasoned journalist.
Investigative Actions and Scope
The Economic Offences Wing and the Special Operations Group initiated a series of raids at 14 different locations spanning across five districts—Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Surat, Kheda, and Bhavnagar—following the DGGI’s complaint. The alleged fraud, which is said to have taken place between February 1 and May 1 of the previous year, involves the firm Dhruvi Enterprise as the prime suspect.
Dhruvi Enterprise is accused of creating multiple shell companies using a single PAN number to simulate fake transactions and illicitly claim ITC. Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime, Sharad Singhal, confirmed that these bogus transactions allowed the implicated firms to claim input tax credit without engaging in any actual business operations.
Arrests of Other Accused Individuals
In addition to Mahesh Langa, the authorities have arrested three other individuals believed to be involved in the GST fraud scheme. The arrested include Aijaz, a Bhavnagar resident and partner in a firm dealing in electric panel boards, Abdulkader, who is engaged in selling sugarcane juice, readymade clothes, and mattresses, and Jyotish Magan Gondaliya from Surat, who operates a business with his wife.
These arrests indicate a broad network of businesses that may have been exploited in the fraudulent manipulation of GST credits, suggesting a well-coordinated effort to defraud the government.
The Bigger Picture
The arrest of Mahesh Langa and the involvement of high-profile political figures in the case have sparked concerns about the integrity and transparency of the investigation. Many within the media and political circles are calling for a thorough and unbiased inquiry to ensure that the principles of justice are upheld.
This case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding financial fraud and the challenges law enforcement agencies face in tackling white-collar crimes. As the investigation unfolds, it will be critical to watch how the authorities manage the delicate balance between legal scrutiny and the protection of individuals’ rights, especially those who have a public profile like Mahesh Langa.
Conclusion
The developments in the GST fraud investigation are still evolving, with authorities continuing to probe the depths of this alleged scam. As more details emerge, the focus will likely shift to the accountability of all parties involved, whether they are business owners, political figures, or even journalists. For now, the media community awaits a fair and transparent resolution to this complex case, hoping that the principles of justice will prevail over the influence of power and politics.