GST Officer Voluntarily Surrenders before Jalandhar Court

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) arrested Balbir Kumar Virdi, Joint Director of GST and Punjab Excise Department. He is currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of State Taxes, Patiala. Virdi surrendered himself voluntarily before Jalandhar Court and was remanded into VB custody for two days so that they could continue with their further investigations.

According to a spokesperson from VB, besides Balbir Virdi and other excise department officers, there were people from industry and transport among others who were also involved in tax evasion. On August 21, 2020, a case was registered by the Vigilance Bureau under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act against Virdi and other accused. Simultaneously, a probe was also initiated by the VB on Virdi’s assets in order to check whether they were disproportionate to his known income.

During the investigation, it was found that Virdi who was originally from Lamma Pind Jalandhar and now residing in Guru Gobind Singh Nagar Jalandhar, was booked for accumulating properties which are worth much more than his earnings, while he was working as a government official. From 1st April 2007 till 11th September 2020, he spent Rs.5.12 crore while his actual income from all sources during this period was Rs.2.08 crore. He overspent on his income by Rs.3.03 crore which accounts for about 145 .4% of total income above its value.

From an in-depth investigation, it was found that Virdi had been acquiring considerable assets, both moveable and immovable by misusing his position. Consequently, on 16th May 2023, a case was registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act at VB police station Jalandhar.

Since the filing of the FIR, Virdi has been evading arrest. Nevertheless, his application for anticipatory bail was dismissed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 3rd May 2023. VB was continually attempting to arrest him and now on directions of the High Court, Balbir Kumar Virdi finally surrendered before the local court.