Patna: A statewide mobile vehicle inspection by Bihar’s Commercial Tax Department has uncovered a suspected large-scale tax evasion operation linked to illegal cigarette manufacturing. The operation, conducted on 17 June by 40 departmental teams under the direction of Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, led to the seizure of a suspicious vehicle and the discovery of a concealed cigarette consignment.
Officials from the Biharsharif zone flagged a vehicle allegedly transporting matchsticks from Hisua in Nawada to Ranchi. However, upon inspection, the consignment presented with a valid E-way Bill was found to contain cigarettes disguised behind decorative matchstick curtains. The case was immediately deemed suspicious.
The entire operation was monitored by the department’s Command & Control Centre. Following further document analysis, authorities concluded that the case involved serious irregularities indicative of a broader tax evasion network.
Intelligence pointed to a registered business in Arrah as the permit issuer. However, upon inspection, the entity was found to be non-existent. Acting on this lead, officials from the Nawada zone investigated a site in Hisua (Hadsa), where they discovered a high-tech cigarette manufacturing facility operating without proper documentation. The factory, which officially reported annual sales of just Rs 1.6 lakh, is suspected to be producing cigarettes worth several crores.
The Nawada Commercial Tax Department has informed the local district administration, and surveillance has been initiated on the suspected key operator based in Patna City. Authorities believe a larger syndicate may be behind the operation, and further investigations into associated licenses and businesses are underway.
