Kerala Lottery Seller Faces Rs 1.56 Crore GST Notice in Identity Theft Case
A migrant worker from West Bengal, who operates a lottery stall in Nedumbassery, Kerala, has come forward with a shocking claim of being falsely implicated in a massive Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud case. Bidyut Sheikh, a resident of Murshidabad, asserts that he is a victim of identity theft and has been slapped with a GST notice demanding an astounding payment of Rs 1.56 crore.
Alleged Fraud and Multiple GST Registrations
Sheikh received the notice at his home in Murshidabad, which originated from the GST office in Chhattisgarh. He suspects that someone illicitly obtained his photograph from Facebook and is using his Permanent Account Number (PAN) card to commit fraud. "It seems like there are five GST accounts under my PAN, with companies registered in places like Rajasthan, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Coimbatore. It is a huge fraud. I don't know what these companies are," Sheikh explained, highlighting the scale of the alleged deception.
Previous Encounter and Financial Struggles
This is not the first time Sheikh has faced such an issue. In 2019, he received a similar notice from the Coimbatore GST office, involving a bill of Rs 66 lakh. "I made them understand that it was a mistake and they assured me that the problem is solved," he recalled. However, the current notice has compounded his troubles, especially during Eid, when he was unable to send money home to his wife and two small children due to the financial strain and time spent resolving this matter.
Sheikh has been working in Kerala for nearly two decades, initially doing manual labor before starting his lottery kiosk. He suspects his PAN card details may have been leaked when he provided a copy to open a bank account and for a shop in Perumbavoor, where he went to obtain an original copy.
Seeking Resolution and Official Guidance
In an attempt to clear his name, Sheikh visited GST offices in Kerala, but was advised to contact the unit in Chhattisgarh that issued the notice. "I am running behind this GST issue," he lamented, emphasizing the personal and financial toll this situation has taken on him and his family.
This case underscores broader concerns about identity theft and GST fraud, particularly affecting vulnerable migrant workers. Authorities are yet to comment on the specifics, but it highlights the need for robust verification processes to prevent such incidents.
