BICHOLIM
In a significant breakthrough in a GST fraud case, Bicholim Police on Friday arrested a 38-year-old man from Navi Mumbai for allegedly obtaining GST registration using forged documents and causing financial loss to the government exchequer.
The case began on January 13, 2025, when Sophia Lawrence E. Vaz, a GST Officer at the Office of the State Tax Officer, Bicholim, filed a complaint alleging that an individual had fraudulently secured a GST registration under the trade name Green Agro Industries. The registration, obtained on August 17, 2021, through ARN AA300821002131A, reportedly used forged documents including an electricity bill, PAN card copy of Amrutrao Tanbarao Rane, a forged NOC/consent letter, and a falsified photograph.
Based on the complaint, Bicholim Police registered Crime No. 30/2025 under Sections 420 and 469 of the IPC and began an investigation.
Technical surveillance and local intelligence led investigators to identify the suspect as Dinesh Patni, son of Punja Patni, a resident of Ulwe, Navi Mumbai. Acting on crucial leads, a police team led by PI Vijay Rane, and comprising PSI Akash Parwar, PC Rohit Varak, and PC Akaash Pednekar, travelled to Navi Mumbai on November 9, 2025.
Working closely with officers from Ulwe Police Station and CBD Belapur Police Station, the team traced and apprehended Patni on November 14, 2025 at the Great Eastern Chamber in Belapur, Navi Mumbai. He was subsequently placed under arrest at CBD Belapur Police Station.
The accused was produced the same day before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Belapur, which granted a two-day transit remand until November 15, 2025.
Further investigation is being carried out by PSI Akash Parwar, under the supervision of PI Vijay Rane, SDPO Bicholim Shridevi BV, IPS, and SP North Goa Rahul Gupta, IPS.
