Archive · 19 Jun 2025
Siliguri Uncovers GST Refund Scam: Fake Exports to Bhutan
Some people in Jaigaon were pretending to export goods to Bhutan to get money back from the government through GST refunds.
They created fake paperwork to make it look like they were sending things to Bhutan, when they were actually selling them in India without paying taxes.
The government is now checking these claims more carefully, and some people have been arrested.
As a result, the amount of money being falsely claimed has gone down.
CGST Siliguri uncovered a GST refund scam involving fake exports to Bhutan.
Racketeers in Jaigaon falsified export documents to claim GST refunds.
Goods falsely claimed as exported to Bhutan were sold in local markets.
Refund claims surged since 2017, with a peak in 2022-23.
Verification measures and arrests have led to a decrease in refund claims.
- Who
- Racketeers, CGST officials.
- What
- A GST refund scam involving fake exports to Bhutan.
- When
- Since 2017, with increased claims until verification.
- Where
- Jaigaon, on the India-Bhutan border.
- Why
- To wrongfully claim GST refunds, by fudging export figures.
Government's View
Perpetrators' View
Revenue Impact
Government's View
Loss of Revenue
Perpetrators' View
Fraudulent claims have caused a significant leakage in government revenue.
- Commissioner
- Jeetesh Nagori
- Refund Claims (2022-23)
- ₹164.75 crore
- Refund Claims (2017-18)
- ₹4 crore
- Arrests
- 3 individuals
- Drop in Refunds (FY2025-26)
- ₹13.7 crore (first two months)
