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New Delhi : The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Gurugram Zonal Unit (GZU), Haryana, on November 27, 2020, has arrested one Satyender Sharma of Haryana on charges of manufacturing and supplying illegally cigarettes without the requisite tax paying documents and without payment of applicable GST and cess.

It became apparent from the investigation conducted till date that Sharma was engaged in the manufacture and supply of various cigarettes of different lengths. They include his registered brands ‘Nidhi Black’ ‘Gold queen’ and ‘E-10.’ Apart from these, the investigation also revealed that Sharma was illegally manufacturing cigarettes under the brand names of ‘Paris’, Pine’ ‘Black Djarum’’ Esse Lights’ which are international trademarks owned by other companies.  All these cigarettes were being cleared clandestinely without payment of applicable GST/cess. Sharma transported these illegally manufactured cigarettes to New Delhi for further supply across India, according to a PIB release

The investigation spanned multiple locations in Delhi and Haryana. Based on documentary evidence and statements recorded of all persons during investigation, it was ascertained that Satyender Sharma is the key person in running this racket of manufacturing cigarettes without payment of applicable GST as well as illegally manufacturing cigarettes under international brand names. Accordingly, Satyender Sharma was arrested on November 27, 2020, and produced before Duty Magistrate, Delhi, who ordered judicial custody. Total tax evasion of more than Rs 129 crore has allegedly been committed by the accused.