Gautam Budh Nagar police detained 52 offenders involved in a significant goods and service tax fraud scheme that had been affecting the local economy.
This substantial arrest was made public only after 8 months of lengthy struggle through the RTI Act 2005, during which concerned citizens sought transparency regarding these criminal activities.
The police initially faced a considerable challenge, as they made concerted efforts to conceal vital information, even after the citizens launched a second appeal for clarity and justice, but ultimately they were unable to sustain their obfuscation.
This case highlights the persistent efforts of the community to hold accountable those engaged in financial misconduct and underscores the importance of transparency in law enforcement operations.

Case File: A Citizen’s Grievance Unravels More Than Just a Website Error but 52 offenders arrested

A detailed examination of grievance GOVUP/E/2024/0093266 reveals a starting complaint about a faulty payment gateway, which had been causing significant disruptions for customers attempting to complete their transactions.
Consequently, this complaint prompted a detailed police report that outlined various instances where users experienced financial losses due to the malfunctioning system.
As a result, this ultimately led to a major fraud investigation, uncovering a series of related cases that suggested not only technical failures but also potential malicious activities aimed at exploiting these vulnerabilities for unauthorised financial gain.
This investigation involved collaboration with cybersecurity experts to trace the origins of the fraud, and it prioritised the restoration of trust among affected users while ensuring that necessary security measures were implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.

---

The Initial Grievance: A Technical Roadblock to Information, but revealed 52 offenders detained

On December 19, 2024, a concerned citizen named Yogi M. P. Singh, who was keen on exercising his rights, thus filed a formal grievance on the public grievance portal established by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The core issue, as a result, stemmed from a significant technical failure on the official website of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, which is intended to facilitate access to vital public information.
This ongoing problem, hence, prevented him from successfully filing a Right to Information (RTI) application, a critical tool that empowers citizens to seek transparency and accountability from public authorities.
Despite his repeated attempts to resolve the issue through various channels, the malfunction persisted, prompting Mr. Singh to escalate the matter formally, as he believed that every citizen deserves unfettered access to information that is crucial for informed decision-making and active participation in governance.

Grievance Details:

• Registration Number: GOVUP/E/2024/0093266
• Complainant: Yogi M. P. Singh
• Date of Receipt: 19/12/2024
• Ministry/Department: Uttar Pradesh
• Current Status: Case closed
• Date of Action: 25/12/2024

The problem was specific. When citizens tried to pay the RTI fee, the site displayed an error. This error was: “Bank URL Not Found!

Citizens find it impossible to exercise their right to information when the government’s own website is dysfunctional, argued Mr. Singh about the issues with the Rajkosh Payment Gateway.

The RTI at the Heart of the Matter

Mr. Singh, therefore, detailed the specific information he sought from the Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission (UPSIC), emphasising the importance of transparency and accountability in the processes governing the commission.
Furthermore, he enquired about a second appeal case that had arisen due to previous misunderstandings, rather than just a technical glitch in his grievance, as he believed that the resolution of these issues was crucial not only for his personal case but also for the many others facing similar challenges in accessing information.
By articulating his concerns, Mr. Singh aimed to shed light on the systemic issues that often hinder the effectiveness of public information requests and hoped to pave the way for a more robust framework that prioritises citizen engagement and satisfaction.

Details of the RTI Appeal:

• Diary/Registration Number: A-20240602365
• File Number: S11/A/0813/2024
• Respondent: Manish Kumar Mishra, Public Information Officer, POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GAUTAM BUDH NAGAR
• Hearing Date: 17th December 2024
• Case Status: Final order passed and case disposed of.

Information Sought from UPSIC:

1. Firstly, The time taken by the UPSIC staff to upload the commission’s order to its website.
2. The team did not upload the final order, while they still displayed an earlier order online.
3. Furthermore, Government orders or memos about the necessity of uploading orders from quasi-judicial bodies like the Information Commission.
4. Lastly, A copy of the final order passed in the aforementioned case.

---

The Official Response: An Unexpected Turn

The grievance reached the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, but the Noida Police responded. They dated the official report December 24, 2024. The report overlooked the website payment gateway issue and instead detailed a major criminal investigation that Mr. Singh had separately enquired about.

Officer Who Handled the Grievance:

• Officer Name: Shri Arvind Mohan (Joint Secretary)
• Organisation: Government of Uttar Pradesh
• Email: arvind.12574@gov.in
• Contact: 05222226350

Report from Thana Sector 20, Noida, Gautam Budh Nagar

This report, corresponding to a different IGRS complaint number (60000240250225), details the investigation into a significant GST fraud case. It appears the system linked Mr. Singh to his other enquiries.

• Investigating Officer: Inspector Kailash Nath Singh (Mobile: 9140178497)
• Topic of Enquiry: The applicant sought information via RTI about the status of FIR No. 203/23. It includes Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120B IPC. He was denied the details. This denial was because he was neither the plaintiff nor the defendant.

Key Findings from the Police Report:

• Nature of the Case: Authorities registered multiple FIRs, including 203/23, 248/23, and 255/23, in response to a large-scale GST fraud.
• Investigation Status:
  • The investigation is ongoing.
  • Authorities have identified 52 accused so far.
  • Consequently, the authorities have filed charge sheets against the accused based on enough evidence.
  • The case is now sub-judice (under trial in court).
• Arrests and Bail:
  • Consequently, the Hon’ble High Court in Allahabad rejected the bail applications of all the 52 offenders of GST fraud.
  • Authorities are now incarcerating all 52 offenders in the Gautam Budh Nagar District Jail.
• Further Action:
  • Authorities have initiated proceedings against all accused under the Gangster Act.
  • Authorities are identifying their properties for further legal action.

---

Complainant’s Feedback: Acknowledging Progress

Despite the response not addressing his original technical complaint, the complainant, Yogi M. P. Singh, gave the resolution a “Good” rating (3 out of 5).

Rating Remarks: Mr. Singh expressed his gratitude to the investigating officer for providing a report of detaining 52 offenders on the criminal case. Moreover, he viewed it as a positive step. This indicated that the police were serious about taking action against offenders involved in large-scale fraud. As a result, he thanked the police team for their diligence. He also appreciated them for submitting a comprehensive report to the grievance portal.

This case serves as a fascinating example. In fact, public grievance systems can sometimes connect different threads of a citizen’s inquiries. Thus, these connections lead to resolutions that are not direct; yet, they are still valuable and appreciated.

Gautam Budh Nagar Noida police is running away from providing information

8 months passed, Noida police is running away from providing information in name of investigation