In a surprise move the director general of police's office has within days thrice transferred the probe into the alleged multi-crore VAT evasion complaint against 27 persons including one of the director of Noida based Dharampal Satyapal Limited, which manufactures various tobacco-based products.

According to top police sources the complaint was initially being probed by Economic Offence Wing (EOW) officials of the CID (crime) in March. However the probe was recently transferred to city crime branch. "More surprisingly before the second probe agency could begin work the DGP's office changed its stance and took back the probe from the crime branch and ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of SP, EOW, Sachin Badshah," added a senior police official. According to sources the missive from state DGP's office also mentions that three other police officers should be included in the SIT.

The Gujarat state commercial tax department in March had registered a case against 27 persons with the state police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for tax evasion to the tune of Rs 190 crore since financial year 2009-10. According to EOW officials, Rajesh Kumar, one of the directors of Dharampal Satyapal Limited, connived with other directors and Gujarat's sole agent Samay Agency's Rajendra Keswani for systematic tax evasion. "They allegedly created 11 bogus dealer entries by opening bank accounts in the names of poor people in Ahmedabad. By using fake documents the conspirators then brought consignments of various products to the city," said an official.

An EOW official said that these firms would then show on paper that the goods had been sold outside Gujarat to evade VAT. "In reality the stock was sold within the state without bills. As per the FIR, goods worth Rs 916 crore were sold by the accused in the past five years without paying taxes," added an EOW official.