The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out an extensive raid in Sahibganj district in connection with a massive ₹750 crore GST fraud case. The search operation, which lasted for nearly eight hours, was conducted at the residence of a scrap trader, Santosh Kumar Gupta, also known as Bablu, in the Bengali Tola locality.
According to officials, the ED team arrived around 7:10 a.m. in a white Innova vehicle, accompanied by CRPF personnel for security arrangements. The four-member team immediately began its investigation inside the premises while restricting outside movement. Local residents gathered in large numbers after learning about the raid, turning the usually quiet neighbourhood into a crowded scene.
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Lengthy Search and Questioning
During the search, ED officers examined household documents, questioned family members, and seized several records believed to be linked to the ongoing probe. At one point, a young male from the household was taken outside for questioning before being brought back. The team also retrieved a laptop from one of their vehicles to review digital records.
The operation continued throughout the day, concluding in the evening when the officials left the premises. While the ED has not issued an official statement regarding the findings of the raid, sources suggest the investigation is tied to suspected tax evasion and money laundering practices that form part of the wider ₹750 crore GST fraud case under scrutiny in the state.
Background and Local Response
Santosh Gupta, who lives with his brother in the same residence, is known locally for running a scrap trading business. Bags filled with scrap materials were found piled outside the property during the raid, highlighting his line of work. Residents expressed shock at the scale of the enforcement action, as Gupta has been a familiar figure in the neighbourhood.
The ED’s move comes amid intensified efforts by central agencies to crack down on GST-related fraud across India. In recent months, multiple raids have been conducted in Jharkhand and other states as part of a coordinated campaign to unearth large-scale tax evasion networks.
