In a continuing series of allegations, the Gujarat Police have filed a third case against journalist Mahesh Langa, already in custody on charges of Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud. This recent case, registered in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, stems from a complaint by Pranav Shah, the owner of Khushi Advertising, who accuses Langa of cheating him of ₹28.68 lakh.
According to Ahmedabad Police, Langa allegedly leveraged his identity as an investigative journalist to establish connections and conduct various deals under the pretense of providing advertising services. Shah reported that he transferred ₹23 lakh to Langa for advertisement projects and paid approximately ₹5 lakh for a party Langa hosted in September. Langa reportedly presented himself as an influential media and government figure, claiming he could facilitate favorable media coverage and assist Shah’s promotional needs. Shah alleges that these payments went unreciprocated as Langa failed to deliver promised services or reimburse the money spent on the party, instead reportedly threatening Shah.
Complex Network of Shell Companies
Investigations reveal a complicated network of financial schemes allegedly tied to Langa, including shell companies and falsified GST transactions. Police said Langa’s business dealings involved a web of around 220 suspected shell companies, manipulated to evade taxes and circulate funds back to Langa through hawala transactions.
A report from the Director General of GST Intelligence suggests the investigation originated from Dhruvi Enterprises, a company registered under a farm laborer’s name, which was reportedly involved in fabricating invoices and generating fraudulent input tax credits. Authorities have since uncovered links between Dhruvi Enterprises and other entities, including DA Enterprises, a firm owned by Langa’s wife, which recorded a staggering increase in turnover from ₹21 lakh in 2020-21 to ₹6.7 crore by 2022-23. Police state that this escalation raised red flags, prompting further investigation.
Langa is also accused of channeling funds through Nisarg Enterprises, a company formed in 2023 and co-owned by his brother Manhar, a government school teacher, and Manhar’s wife. Authorities believe this network helped Langa avoid GST payments and inflate tax liabilities through artificial expense inflations, allowing funds to be laundered back to him.
Support from Media and Condemnation of Charges
The allegations have ignited a discussion within media circles, as prominent voices rally to support Langa’s journalistic freedom. N. Ram, Director of Hindu Publishing Group, criticized the legal actions against Langa, stating, “If journalists are penalized for accessing and analyzing documents, investigative journalism will suffer. We must support journalists’ rights to obtain confidential documents in the public interest.” Ram’s statement underscores concerns over the impact of the charges on press freedom, particularly with the accusations centered on Langa’s reporting and access to information.
The Gujarat Police, meanwhile, continue to pursue evidence in the case, citing substantial documentation, transaction records, and digital proof connecting Langa to the alleged offenses. They have also conducted searches at 19 locations across Gujarat to uncover additional insights into Langa’s business operations.
Ongoing Investigations
This case adds to the existing legal challenges for Langa, whose prior two cases involve alleged GST fraud linked to entities dealing with the Gujarat Maritime Board and other businesses. Authorities maintain that the investigation is ongoing, with potential links to other high-value transactions and violations of financial regulations.
As this case develops, it raises questions about the intersection of press freedom, financial accountability, and the legal boundaries faced by journalists engaging in investigative work. Further statements from Langa’s legal team and additional insights from the ongoing probe are awaited as authorities work to piece together the full scope of his activities.
Sources By Agencies
