MUMBAI: A 48-year-old mobile repairer from Cotton Green was in for a shock when Income Tax and GST authorities demanded nearly ₹ 32 crore in taxes from him over business transactions he said he knew nothing about. The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has now registered a case alleging that his documents were misused by his acquaintance to open a company, bank accounts and conduct export business in his name.
Mhapankar handed over the documents, following which the accused allegedly opened a company called Galaxy Traders in his name. Initially, Mhapankar thought the demand was a mistake. “I then realised that I had given the documents to Tambe, who had promised me a share of the profits from the business.
The complainant, Mahendra Mhapankar, 48, lives with his family in Ferbunder, Cotton Green, and runs a mobile-repairing shop. The EOW registered a case at Kalachowki police station under sections 406, 420, 506 and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal breach of trust, cheating, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy, respectively.
Police said he was jobless during the pandemic when he met the accused, Sanjay Tambe, who was working as a clean-up marshal. Tambe told Mhapankar that some of his friends needed his documents to help him avail himself of benefits under government schemes, according to police. Police said Mhapankar also helped the accused open bank accounts at two banks after being told that his share of profits would be deposited into them. However, whenever he asked about the business, he was allegedly told that there had been no profits. However, his tax consultant was informed that there was no error, police said. Tambe then, with the help of Subhan Qureshi, opened bank accounts in my name and carried out export business with the help of other accused in my name,” Mhapankar told police. Police said the alleged business transactions resulted in tax liabilities being left unpaid, leading to notices being sent to Mhapankar.
