HC Denies Bail to Alleged Tax Evasion Scheme Mastermind

The Bombay High Court has delivered a significant ruling, refusing anticipatory bail to Manish Sen, the alleged orchestrator of a complex scheme that led to tax evasion amounting to ₹24 crore. Justice Sarang V Kotwal, presiding over the case, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the full extent of the purported conspiracy.

Unveiling the Scheme

During the court proceedings, intricate details of Sen's modus operandi came to light. The scheme, marked by deception, the use of forged documents, and the manipulation of multiple bank accounts, allegedly targeted job seekers in a bid to perpetrate tax evasion on a massive scale. The case originated from a complaint filed by Ritesh Patil, a contract worker with the Thane Municipal Corporation, who detailed Sen and his associates' exploitation of his desperation for employment. A report in the Hindustan Times mentioned that Patil recounted responding to a job advertisement near Thane railway station, where an associate named Vaibhav allegedly promised him a position as a bank peon. Vaibhav collected Patil's personal information and documents under the guise of job formalities, subsequently opening a bank account in Patil's name at Punjab and Sind Bank in Masjid Bunder.

Coercive Tactics

Under the pretext of resolving issues with the initial account, Vaibhav allegedly coerced Patil into opening another account at Equitas Small Finance Bank in Vashi, obtaining Patil's signature on blank cheques in the process. Patil's discovery of the scheme came in February 2023 when he received a notice from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) office, incorrectly identifying him as the director of a company he claimed to have no knowledge of.

Extent of the Conspiracy

Subsequent police investigations reportedly revealed that Sen's group had used Patil's identity to open multiple bank accounts, including one at Kotak Mahindra Bank in Chembur. Another victim, Subhash Kumar Tailor, reportedly fell prey to the scam orchestrated by an intermediary named Raju Singh. Both victims recounted following instructions from Sen and his associates, believing them to be part of the legitimate employment process. The court underscored the gravity and sophistication of the fraud and its far-reaching consequences. Direct evidence of Sen's involvement was reportedly found in his financial transactions with specific enterprises and phone numbers linked to the fraudulent activities, leading to the denial of his anticipatory bail.