Guwahati, 06 August (HS): The Special Task Force (STF), Assam has apprehended three more accused from Kolkata, West Bengal, in connection with major fake GST and fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) fraud cases, taking the total number of arrests in the investigation to 12.

According to the STF, Vivek Kumar Gupta and Surajit Barman were arrested from Tiljala, Kolkata, on August 2 in connection with STF Police Station Case No. 05/2026. In a separate operation on August 4, another prime accused, Vineet Kumar Poddar, was apprehended from Kaikhali, Kolkata in connection with STF Police Station Case No. 02/2026.

During the coordinated raids, STF personnel seized mobile phones, SIM cards and several incriminating documents from the accused. After securing transit remand from the competent court, the three were brought to Guwahati on Wednesday night.

Among the arrested, Vineet Kumar Poddar and Vivek Kumar Gupta are residents of Kolkata, while Surajit Barman, a resident of Barama in Assam's Baksa district, had allegedly been hiding in Kolkata to evade arrest.

The STF said the investigation into the fake GST and ITC fraud network is continuing, and further legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash