Guwahati Court Rejects Bail for Six Accused in GST Evasion Case

Guwahati: A court in Guwahati on Wednesday rejected the bail petitions of six individuals arrested for their alleged involvement in a major tax evasion case under the Assam Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court, after reviewing the bail objection reports, found the prosecution's arguments valid and denied bail to the accused.

According to a statement from the Finance (Taxation) Department, FIRs were filed against seven proprietors of logistics firms for transporting taxable goods without valid documents, including e-way bills and tax invoices—constituting a serious violation of the AGST Act.

The arrests followed a surprise inspection by the GST Intelligence and Enforcement Wing at Azara and Paltan Bazar Railway Yards in Guwahati. Goods arriving from New Delhi via freight trains were intercepted while being loaded onto trucks, and drivers failed to produce proper GST documentation.

Subsequent verification at the Assam State Warehousing Corporation (ASWC), Boragaon, revealed systematic irregularities in the consignment process, pointing to habitual tax evasion and white-collar economic offences.

The department also stated that the transporters may be liable for dealing in stolen property and criminal breach of trust in collusion with consignees and consignors.

The seventh accused remains in custody, and investigations are ongoing.