Railway Police Seized 61 Kg Silver in Jharkhand; GST Evasion Investigation Underway

The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Rourkela seized around 61 kg of silver from a man of Jharkhand, prompting a State GST investigation into possible tax evasion. The consignment’s estimated value ranges from Rs.54 lakh to Rs.61 lakh, depending on its purity.

Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Reshma Ekka stated that the seizure occurred during normal checks at Rourkela railway station on Wednesday morning. The suspect, Chandan Soni (30), of Ranchi, Jharkhand, attracted suspicion with his behaviour while waiting to board the delayed Tapaswini Express heading for Hatia.

When the GRP team searched his trolley bag and backpack, they discovered little quantities of silver contraband. Soni was arrested and sent over to state GST authorities for further investigation, along with the silver.

Initial investigations revealed that Soni brought around 51 kg of silver ornaments from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and gathered an additional 10 kg of bricks from Rourkela.

Deputy Commissioner of SGST Jagdish Saha stated that, while Soni claimed to have legitimate purchase documentation for the ornaments, he was unable to show records for the majority of the Agra consignment and had no documents for the silver bricks.

Gold and silver, as well as ornaments and bricks, are taxed at 3% under the State GST. Authorities are reviewing available documentation to determine the degree of tax evasion. The seized silver will be deposited in Rourkela’s district treasury while the investigation is ongoing.

This seizure highlights the importance of law enforcement and tax authorities in combating tax evasion and maintaining compliance with GST regulations. The case serves as a reminder of the need of keeping correct documentation for high-value items in order to avoid legal issues.