GST Officials Rescued After Traders Block Audit Team in Chennai:

A team of Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials was rescued by city police after they were allegedly stopped from leaving a stainless steel shop in Sowcarpet on Thursday evening.

According to police, the GST team, led by senior officers, arrived at Mahipal Stainless on Mint Street at around 4 p.m. to carry out an audit. A few hours later, nearly 300 traders, reportedly associated with the Steel Market Association, gathered outside the shop and blocked the officials from leaving.

The traders claimed that the audit was unfair and demanded that senior GST authorities, including the commissioner, come to the spot and explain the reason for the inspection.

After being unable to leave, the GST officials contacted the Elephant Gate police for help. Police officers first tried to end the standoff through talks with the traders, but the discussions did not succeed.

Later, the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Flower Bazaar arrived at the scene and held further discussions with the traders. The GST officials were then safely escorted to the Elephant Gate Police Station. Based on a complaint, police detained at least six traders for questioning.

Following the incident, the Tamil Nadu Stainless Steel Merchants and Manufacturers Association announced a complete bandh on Friday and Saturday.

A police officer said the traders had submitted a written complaint, alleging that GST officials were carrying out frequent inspections and imposing heavy fines that were affecting their businesses. Police said they are looking into the complaint, and no FIR has been registered so far.