Ahmedabad: The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) on Tuesday arrested Mahesh Langa, a senior assistant editor at The Hindu based in Gujarat, along with three others in connection with an alleged Goods and Services Tax (GST) scam. This follows the booking of 13 companies and their owners for alleged input tax credit (ITC) fraud, stemming from a complaint filed by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI). Meanwhile, in the same case, Ajay Barad, who is the son of BJP MLA Bhagwan Barad, was also questioned by the police.

This comes after the Detection of Crime Branch Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against various individuals and entities on Monday after receiving a complaint from the central GST regarding an alleged scam involving the establishment of fake firms aimed at defrauding the government by obtaining bogus input tax credits through fraudulent transactions.

The FIR claims there are over 220 benami firms established using forged documents as part of the scheme. The alleged fraud occurred between February 1 and May 1 of last year.

The main suspect is Dhruvi Enterprise, which reportedly created six companies using a single PAN to claim ITC (Input Tax Credit) through nonexistent transactions, according to police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajit Rajian stated that journalist Mahesh Langa was taken into custody on Tuesday morning after extensive questioning. “The central GST found suspicious transactions linked to bogus companies registered under the names of Mahesh Langa’s wife and father using forged documents. Langa has been arrested for further investigation.”

Rajian also stated, “We have recovered ₹20 lakh in unaccounted cash, some gold, and several land documents from him.”

Although Langa is not named in the FIR, his cousin, Manojkumar Langa, is listed as one of the proprietors of an Ahmedabad-based company called DA Enterprise, where Mahesh Langa’s wife is also a partner. Neither Langa’s cousin nor his wife has been arrested.

Also implicated in the case are Ajay, the son of Talala BJP MLA Bhagwan Barad, and his nephews Vijaykumar Kalabhai Barad and Ramesh Kalabhai Barad, who are reportedly proprietors of Veraval-based Aryan Associates. When contacted, the MLA denied any involvement in fraud.

Ahmedabad City Commissioner of Police Gyanender Singh Malik stated, “Mahesh Langa’s wife is a director in one of the firms involved in the GST fraud.” He added that when she was questioned by the Crime Branch, she claimed no knowledge of any such company or her name being associated with it. However, when Mahesh Langa was interrogated, it became clear that he was managing the firm.

Regarding Mahesh Langa not being mentioned in the FIR, Malik explained, “Just because his name is not there in the FIR does not mean Mahesh Langa is not an accused. His role in one of the companies surfaced during the investigation, which is why he was arrested by the Crime Branch.”

“As the case is registered, police are investigating. But there has been no arrest of my son or nephews… Our company is functional and works for the government. Our lawyers will handle the necessary processes,” Bhagwan Barad, the BJP MLA, told the media.

Others arrested by the Crime Branch on Tuesday include Aijaz, a Bhavnagar resident and partner in a firm selling electric panel boards; Abdulkader, also from Bhavnagar, involved in selling sugarcane juice, readymade clothes, and mattresses; and Jyotish Magan Gondaliya, a Surat resident who runs a firm with his wife. DeshGujarat