When Public Records Go to the Raddiwala: A Wake-Up Call for GST Data Security

Introduction

In one of the most shocking cases of negligence and misconduct in recent memory, a drunken CGST clerk in Nagpur was caught selling bundles of crucial government files—some reportedly containing taxpayer data worth crores—to a scrap dealer for just ₹5,000. This alarming incident has raised red flags about the security of sensitive tax records, and the lack of internal checks in one of India’s most revenue-critical departments.

The Incident: Files Sold for ₹5,000

Mohan Gund, a clerk at the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Department, Nagpur.

While under the influence of alcohol, he removed multiple bundles of government documents—including sensitive GST assessment and audit records—from the office.

He hired an auto-rickshaw and made multiple trips to shift the files to a scrap dealer, who unknowingly bought them for ₹5,000.

The act was committed at the CGST Range Office, located opposite VCA in Civil Lines, Nagpur.

Caught on Camera: CCTV Footage Reveals the Truth

On July 17, the staff noticed several files missing. A quick review of CCTV footage exposed Gund loading bundles of files into an auto from the ground floor office.

Officials immediately tracked down the scrap dealer, paid him back, and recovered the documents before any damage could be done.

Immediate Action: Suspension and Inquiry

Assistant Commissioner Sadhishkumar Thota issued a suspension order against Gund.

He is now required to report daily to the CGST headquarters during his suspension.

A departmental inquiry has been launched to formally investigate the incident.

A Troubled Employee with a History of Misconduct

Gund's reckless behavior didn’t come out of nowhere. He had a long history of disciplinary issues, including:

Repeated absenteeism

Alcoholism

Borrowing money from colleagues

Misconduct at his previous posting in Indore, which led to his transfer to Nagpur

Despite these red flags, he was spared strict punishment due to compassionate grounds, as he was given the job after the death of his father (a former department employee).

Unfortunately, this leniency led to a situation that put the department’s credibility at risk.

What Was at Stake?

Though the scrap dealer was unaware of the documents’ importance, the files potentially included:

Taxpayer compliance records

Audit reports

GST assessments

If these files had reached the wrong hands:

Tax evaders could have misused them

The department could have suffered a serious data breach

It could have compromised crores worth of national revenue

System Failure: Lack of Internal Checks

This incident revealed deep flaws in the CGST department’s internal control systems, such as:

No proper file tracking or security

Delayed disciplinary action against repeated offenders

Inadequate background checks and employee supervision

Conclusion

This bizarre episode is not just about a drunken employee selling government property—it’s about systemic failure. While the quick response by the department helped avoid a larger disaster, the fact that such an event happened at all points to a need for stronger oversight, stricter enforcement of employee discipline, and a shift towards digitizing government records to prevent physical data mishandling in the future.