ED conducts multiple raids in Haryana in connection with VAT 'scam' case

Chandigarh, July 9

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted multiple searches in Haryana, including against three former state administrative service officers, as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to an alleged VAT scam, official sources said.

About 14 locations in the state are being raided, the sources said.

Three retired Haryana state civil service officers — excise and taxation officer Ashok Sukhija and former deputy excise taxation commissioners Narender Ranga and Gopi Chand Chaudhary — and some private persons are also being covered during the searches, they said.

Sukhija and Chaudhary were arrested by the state police last year as part of the investigation.

The money-laundering case stems from a 2020 FIR by the Haryana Police related to a case of illegal issuance of Form C worth Rs 1,000 crore in Gurugram.

According to rules, Form C is issued by the Haryana government against the sale of goods outside the state and a trader or business entity can avail refund by using it. It was alleged that the traders created bogus sale bills, leading to losses for the state exchequer.