Calcutta HC says mere issuance of GST Show Cause Notice Does Not Establish Organised Crime

The Calcutta High Court granted bail to an accused facing allegations of cheating, forgery and organised crime. The State relied, among other circumstances, on alleged serious GST violations and the issuance of a GST show cause notice to portray the accused as a history-sheeter and an economic offender. The Court held that a GST show cause notice does not ipso facto establish such status. It further observed that ordinary cheating involving a monetary amount does not, by itself, constitute an economic offence within Section 111 of the BNS. The decision was rendered in the context of bail and does not determine the underlying allegations.