Chennai: A group of more than 300 traders in Sowcarpet locked up a team of Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials who had visited the commercial hub for inspection. On receiving an SOS message from the officials, personnel from Elephant Gate police station rushed to the location and rescued them.Police said the team led by GST Superintendent Nishanth, along with inspectors Azeez and Sushil, and three other officials, began an inspection at Mahipal Stainless on Mint Street around 4pm on Friday. Around 7pm, nearly 300 shopkeepers and traders of Steel Market Association gathered outside the shop and surrounded the officials. They locked up the GST officials inside a stainless steel shop.The traders objected to the inspection, claiming that the audit was illegal and demanded that senior GST authorities, including the commissioner, visit the spot and explain the action.Unable to leave the premises, the GST officials sought police assistance. Police personnel initially attempted to resolve the situation through negotiation. However, the discussion failed, and later, the deputy commissioner of police, Flower Bazaar, reached the spot and held further talks with traders’ representatives. The officials were then released and escorted safely to Elephant Gate police station.Following a complaint lodged by the GST officials, police detained at least six people for questioning. The inspection was conducted at Mahipal Stainless, owned by Bipin and Ankit.
