DGGI Meerut Busts ₹320-Crore GST Evasion by Online Gaming Firms, Two Owners Arrested
Meerut/Greater Noida |
In a major crackdown on tax evasion in the online gaming industry, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Meerut Zone, has arrested two gaming company owners for allegedly evading Goods and Services Tax (GST) worth ₹320 crore.
The accused-Ranjan Joshi, proprietor of Progress Fin Technology and Space HisTech Solution Technology, and Ravi Singh, director of Virodh Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., were taken into custody from Greater Noida on Wednesday after a three-month covert surveillance operation.
₹1,200 Crore Revenue, Zero Tax Paid
According to DGGI officials, the two companies collectively earned nearly ₹1,200 crore through their online gaming platforms. Under GST norms, gaming companies must pay 28% GST, amounting to ₹320 crore in this case.
However, the accused allegedly paid no tax at all.
Investigations revealed that:
- Ranjan Joshi reported revenues of ₹442 crore
- Ravi Singh reported revenues of ₹760 crore
Both allegedly used the gaming platforms to launder unaccounted money and illegally withdraw funds from user accounts.
Fraudulent Practices Exposed
Officials said the companies lured customers with the promise of high bonuses. Once players added money into their gaming wallets, withdrawal options were deliberately blocked, trapping consumers’ funds.
DGGI further found that to evade detection, the accused repeatedly changed URLs and app interfaces, making digital tracking more difficult.
Court Sends Accused to Jail
After gathering substantial documentary and digital evidence, the DGGI team arrested the accused and presented them before the Special Chief Judicial Magistrate in Meerut. Both were remanded to judicial custody.
More Arrests Likely
Authorities confirmed they possess data on seven additional individuals linked to the tax evasion network. Action against them is expected soon.
The operation marks one of the biggest tax-evasion busts in India’s rapidly expanding online gaming sector, raising fresh questions about regulatory oversight and financial fraud in digital entertainment platforms.
