Mirzapur: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has uncovered a massive toll tax fraud worth ₹120 crore, operating from the Atraela Toll Plaza located in Lalganj, Mirzapur. Four employees of the toll plaza have been arrested in connection with the scam, which involved fraudulent tax collection practices through manipulated software.
The STF’s operation, which targeted the Atraela Toll Plaza, revealed that the scam was not limited to this location alone. The fraudulent software was being used across 42 toll plazas across the country, including in states like Assam, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, including Bareilly and Gorakhpur. Investigations are ongoing, and the STF is looking into potential involvement of toll management officials and authorities.
Software Developer and Key Accused: Alok Singh
The main accused, Alok Singh, a resident of Jaunpur, has been identified as the developer of the fraudulent software. According to ASP Operations O.P. Singh, the STF has confirmed that Alok Singh had been operating the software for the past two years, which allowed toll plaza employees to manipulate toll collection records. Alok was arrested by the STF near Babatpur Airport in Varanasi, where he had been living for some time while carrying out the scam.
The STF’s interrogation revealed that officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) were aware of the fraudulent activities but failed to take any action. The STF is now investigating the role of these officials in the scam.
Evidence Seized: Mobiles, Laptops, Printer, and Cash
The STF seized several items during the arrest, including five mobile phones, two laptops, a printer, and ₹19,580 in cash. According to STF Inspector Deepak Singh, Alok Singh admitted that his software was in use at toll plazas across Uttar Pradesh and other states like Assam, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab. The STF also observed the software in action at the Atraela Toll Plaza, where a vehicle without a FASTag was sent through the plaza and a fake receipt was issued.
The Fraudulent Software’s Reach
The software, which can be installed on mobile phones, laptops, or pen drives, was being used at various toll plazas including Harro Toll Plaza in Prayagraj, Amdi Toll Plaza in Lohrara, and Atraela Shiv Gulam Toll Plaza in Mirzapur. Other states where the software has been detected include Telangana, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal.
Alok Singh revealed that the software was being used by contractors and toll plaza staff to illegally pocket toll money. In cases where vehicles passed without a FASTag, the software was used to issue fake receipts, collecting double the toll charges, which were then divided among the company, contractors, and toll plaza employees.
Financial Impact of the Scam
Alok Singh admitted that through this fraudulent method, one toll plaza could earn between ₹40,000 and ₹50,000 a day, with a total of ₹120 crore being generated over the past two years, both online and offline. This operation had been running under the radar for a significant period, impacting toll revenue nationwide.
As the STF continues its investigation, the authorities are considering action against the toll plaza management and possibly NHAI officials involved in the scam. The case highlights the need for greater oversight and regulation of toll collection processes to prevent similar frauds in the future.