Introduction RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse

The RTI inquiry into PAN misuse in Mirzapur has recently revealed a concerning trend. Specifically, fraudulent practices involving Permanent Account Numbers are on the rise. Numerous cases have emerged showing that individuals are using the PANs of unsuspecting citizens. Consequently, they carry out illegal transactions and evade tax obligations. Furthermore, this poses a significant threat to the integrity of the financial system. In addition, it severely affects the victims whose identities are being misappropriated. Therefore, relevant authorities are urged to strengthen oversight mechanisms. This will prevent further misuse and protect honest taxpayers from falling prey to such scams. Ultimately, it ensures a more transparent and accountable financial environment.
Ultimately, the investigation aims to hold accountable those responsible. It also seeks to mitigate the risks of identity theft.

Here are the key takeaways from the case of Shri Yogi M.P. Singh:

1. Massive Identity Theft & Financial Fraud

  • The Scale: A personal PAN card (GSWPS0850Q) was used without consent. Specifically, it facilitated business transactions exceeding ₹163 Crore. In addition, there was a single suspicious transaction of ₹35 Crore.
  • The Modus Operandi: Fraudsters updated the victim’s profile with a fake address in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Consequently, they were able to intercept tax notices and hide their activities.
  • The Victim’s Vulnerability: The victim has no business and is below the taxable income limit. However, they are now legally entangled with the Income Tax Department due to these fraudulent entries.

2. The “Paper Trail” Paradox

  • Departmental Disconnect: The GST and Income Tax systems recorded hundreds of millions in turnover. Meanwhile, the E-Filing portal claimed no bank account was linked to the PAN.
  • Systemic Loophole: Criminals are successfully exploiting gaps between GST registration and banking verification. Consequently, this allows them to launder money or evade taxes using stolen identities.

3. Failure of the RTI Process

  • Evasive Tactics: The Public Information Officer (PIO) in Mirzapur failed to provide specific answers to the five points raised in the RTI application.
  • Misleading Information: The police failed to detail the progress of the investigation. Furthermore, they provided no information on actions taken against the 200 fraudulent firms. Instead, they simply provided a copy of a letter sent to the CBDT. Consequently, this stalled the applicant’s quest for clarity.

4. Need for Structural Reform

  • Urgent Coordination: The case proves that local police stations are ill-equipped to handle high-level financial cybercrime. Therefore, direct, real-time cooperation from the CBDT and GST Intelligence is necessary.
  • Digital Integrity: There is a pressing need for better verification methods, such as biometric alerts. Specifically, these should trigger when an individual’s PAN is suddenly used for high-value commercial transactions.

RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur: A Case Study of Systemic Failure in Mirzapur

The digital age has brought convenience. However, it has also birthed a sophisticated breed of financial predators. For instance, a chilling example has emerged from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. There, an individual’s Permanent Account Number (PAN) was hijacked to facilitate transactions worth hundreds of millions of rupees.

In fact, the case of Shri Yogi M.P. Singh is not just a personal grievance. Moreover, it is a glaring indictment of our financial monitoring systems. It also highlights the bureaucratic hurdles citizens face when seeking justice under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.


The Genesis of the Fraud: A PAN Misused

Specifically, the ordeal began when the applicant, a resident of Surekapuram, discovered unknown entities using his PAN card (GSWPS0850Q). They were conducting massive business operations. As a result, despite not falling within the taxable income limit and operating no business, Mr. Singh began receiving notices from the Income Tax Department.

The Staggering Numbers

The scale of the unauthorised transactions linked to his identity is astronomical: (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

  • FY 2020-21: Minor transactions involving securities and rent.
  • FY 2022-23: Business receipts exceeding ₹1.49 Crore, GST purchases of ₹5.99 Crore, and a turnover of ₹8.63 Crore.
  • Further Records: Subsequent notices indicated business receipts of ₹4.65 Crore and GST turnovers reaching a staggering ₹16.32 Crore.

The applicant also alleges a single fraudulent transaction of ₹35 Crore (350,000,000 INR) as evidenced by the Annual Information Statement (AIS) provided by the Income Tax Department.


The Administrative Labyrinth: RTI vs. Reality

In order to seek clarity, Mr. Singh filed an RTI application (Registration No. SPMZR/R/2025/60112) on May 11, 2025. In particular, he sought specific information on five critical points. These included the identity of the 200 companies allegedly misusing his PAN. Additionally, he requested the progress of the police investigation into a fraudulent address in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, linked to his profile.

The Response: Information or Evasion? (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

In June 2025, the Office of the Superintendent of Police, Mirzapur, responded. However, the “information” simply consisted of a copy of a letter sent to the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) by Inspector Jitendra Kumar, the Investigating Officer.

The letter acknowledged the FIR (No. 291/23) under Section 420 IPC and the IT Act (66C, 66D). However, it failed to answer the applicant’s specific queries regarding:

  1. Action taken against the specific 200 fraudulent firms.
  2. Here are the details of the bank accounts where they deposited these vast sums.
  3. The status of the investigation into the Raipur address.

Core Issue: The “Accountless” Paradox (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

Indeed, one of the most perplexing aspects of this case is the reply from the Income Tax Department, issued on December 6, 2024. In that response, they confirmed that no bank account links to the PAN on the E-Filing portal.

As a consequence, this creates a dangerous “black hole” in the investigation. After all, if individuals transact hundreds of millions of rupees and file GST using a specific PAN, a financial trail must exist. Therefore, the police and IT department must reconcile the “GST Turnover” with “Linked Bank Accounts”. Their failure to do so suggests either a highly sophisticated spoofing method or a lack of coordination between investigative wings.


The Raipur Connection: Identity Theft in Plain Sight

In addition, a significant red flag in this case is the User Profile Administration data. Namely, the victim’s PAN is registered to an address in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. However, they are actually a resident of Mirzapur. (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

In effect, this is a classic “Ghost Identity” tactic. Specifically, criminals update the profile of a legitimate PAN holder with a new address. This ensures that physical notices from the Tax Department go to a location controlled by the fraudsters. As a result, the actual victim is kept in the dark for as long as possible. Meanwhile, the applicant’s query regarding the progress of the investigation into this Raipur address remains unanswered by the Mirzapur police.


Why the Current Response is Misleading

For these reasons, the applicant has rightly filed an appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act. In short, the grievance is simple. A report addressed to a third party (the CBDT) is not the same as a response to an RTI applicant. (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

  • Lack of Specificity: The police report to the CBDT is a request for more information. In contrast, the RTI applicant is asking for the current status of the action already taken.
  • Accountability Gap: By merely forwarding a letter of correspondence, the Public Information Officer (PIO) effectively bypassed their responsibility. Specifically, they failed to provide a point-by-point progress report on the FIR.

The Path Forward: What Needs to Change? (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

Above all, this case highlights the urgent need for a more robust governance system. It should be “Paperless and Transparent,” as cited by the applicant in reference to Supreme Court guidelines.

1. Inter-Departmental Task Forces (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

First and foremost, identity theft involving GST and Income Tax requires a joint task force. This should include the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), the Income Tax Department, and GST Intelligence. Meanwhile, relying on slow mail correspondence between a local police station and the CBDT Chairman is ineffective.

2. Real-Time PAN Monitoring

Furthermore, the AIS (Annual Information Statement) is a great tool. However, it is reactive. Therefore, a new mechanism is needed. High-value GST registrations on a “dormant” or “individual” PAN should trigger immediate biometric or multi-factor verification. (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

3. RTI Accountability (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

In addition, train the PIOs to understand that providing “related documents” does not replace answering the query. Consequently, they often use misleading information as a stalling tactic. This further victimises individuals who are already suffering from financial identity theft.


Conclusion

In conclusion, Shri Yogi M.P. Singh’s case is a warning to every citizen. Indeed, someone can suddenly hold a resident of Mirzapur responsible for a ₹163 Crore GST turnover without their knowledge. This puts the integrity of our financial identity system at stake. Ultimately, the Mirzapur Police and the CBDT must act with urgency. They should clear Mr. Singh’s name and dismantle the network of 200 firms laundering money under stolen identities. (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

Meanwhile, we can assist you in following up on the misleading information and filing your appeal. Below are the contact details for the relevant public authorities based on official records.


1. Police Department – Mirzapur District (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

These are the primary contacts for the Office of the Superintendent of Police. Details are also included for the specific station investigating your case.

Authority / OfficerDesignationContact NumberEmail Address
Superintendent of Police (SP)District Head+91-9454400299spmzr-up@nic.in
Addl. SP (City)PIO / Supervisory+91-9454401104asp-city.mi@up.gov.in
Addl. SP (Operation)Senior Officer+91-9454401105asp-op.mi@up.gov.in
CO City (Mirzapur)DSP+91-9454401590co-city.mi@up.gov.in
Inspector Jitendra KumarIO (Katra Station)+91-9452788811(Use Station Email)
Kotwali Katra Police StationSHO / Station05442-252243pskotwalikatra.mzr-up@gov.in

2. Income Tax Department & CBDT (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

The Chairman of the CBDT received the Inspector’s report. Therefore, you should escalate your grievance regarding the “unlinked bank accounts” here.

  • Chairman,Central Board of Direct Taxes(CBDT):
    • Email: chairman-cbdt@nic.in
    • Database Cell Email: dbc.cbdt@incometax.gov.in
    • Phone: +91-11-23092244 / 23548993
  • AIS/Reporting Portal Helpdesk:
    • Toll-Free: 1800 103 4215 (For queries related to AIS, TIS, and fraudulent transactions).
  • e-Filing Web Manager:
    • Email: efilingwebmanager@incometax.gov.in

Use these portals to ensure your submissions are digitally recorded and “paperless.” This aligns with the guidelines you mentioned.


4. Cyber Crime Escalation (RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur)

Since your case involves the IT Act (66C and 66D), you can also report the misuse of your digital identity (PAN) through the national portal:

Note: When sending emails, always CC the Superintendent of Police Mirzapur (spmzr-up@nic.in). Also, CC the DGP Uttar Pradesh (dgpcontrol-up@nic.in). This ensures higher authorities monitor the communication.

Home » RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur

3 responses to “RTI Inquiry on PAN Misuse in Mirzapur”

  1. FIR No. 291/23, Section 420 IPC and 66C and 66D IT Act, Police Station Katra, District Mirzapur, Whether the police could work out this case? Whether it is not reflecting the incompetence of the police personnel in Uttar Pradesh. Whether the Department of income tax is not responsible for these bogus transactions and thereafter repeated notices to an innocent person.

  2. Whether the police will not take any action in the matter if the department of income tax will not provide requisite data to police.

  3. The police is investigating the matter and wants to take
    take help from the department of income tax.
    Subject – FIR No. 291/23, Section 420 IPC and 66C and 66D IT Act, Police Station Katra, District Mirzapur, plaintiff M.P. Singh, regarding the notice issued by the Income Tax Department,

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