PremiumED charges TV actress and Bigg Boss fame Kriti Verma for involvement in Rs 263 crore TDS fraud
Bigg Boss 12 and MTV Roadies fame Kriti Verma named in TDS refund scam by ED.
Last Updated: 11.51 AM, Sep 13, 2023
The ED (Enforcement Directorate) filed a thorough chargesheet listing 14 people involved in the Rs 263 crores TDS refund scam, and one of them is former Bigg Boss 12 contestant Kriti Verma. The latter was a former GST inspector who gained notoriety after participating in reality competitions like Bigg Boss and MTV Roadies. The accusation sheet reveals a complex web of financial fraud.
Former Income-Tax Inspector Tanaji Mandal Adhikari is credited as being the scheme's brains and a key player. During his employment, he allegedly got unlawful access to the RSA token and login credentials of higher-ranking officials, which served as the basis for his fraud and swindle.
Chargesheet also mentions Kriti Verma's relationship with Rajesh Shetty and Bhushan Patil
The chargesheet by Ed also makes reference to Kriti Verma's close relationships with Rajesh Shetty and Bhushan Patil. After a FIR was filed by the CBI, the investigation's major focus is on refunds issued fraudulently during the financial years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. Adhikari and numerous others took advantage of the system to produce TDS refunds that totaled more than Rs 263 crores. The money obtained through fraud was then moved to other bank accounts owned by the main beneficiary, Bhushan Anant Patil.
In an unexpected turn of events, the ED's investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) found that Verma sold a house in Gurugram that was allegedly purchased using money from the criminal enterprise totaling Rs. 1.02 crore. Authorities were able to locate her bank accounts and freeze the sale proceeds, which came to Rs. 1.18 crore. Verma has also come under criticism because of her close relationship with one of the suspects who allegedly benefitted from the fraudulent tax payments.
Other properties and cars purchased by the ill-gotten money
Prime real estate in Lonavala, Khandala, Karjat, Pune, and Udupi, as well as opulent apartments in Panvel and Mumbai, have all been purchased with the ill-gotten money. The culprits also lived a wealthy lifestyle, which was demonstrated by the fact that they owned three high-end vehicles: a BMW X7, a Mercedes GLS 400d, and an Audi Q7.