Dhaba Cook Slapped with Rs 46 Crore Tax Notice: How a Simple Man Became Victim of a Big Fraud

Date: September 9, 2025
Place: Bhind, Madhya Pradesh

On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, an unusual story emerged from Madhya Pradesh. A roadside dhaba cook, who earns only a few thousand rupees a month, was served an income tax notice of Rs 46 crore. The man’s name is Ravinder Singh Chauhan. He is just 30 years old. He cooks food for travelers and truck drivers at a small dhaba in Bhind district. His world turned upside down when government papers accused him of hiding crores of rupees.

A Cook with Small Dreams

Ravinder comes from a poor family. He left school after Class 6 because of money problems. Since then, he has worked as a helper and a cook. His life has been about survival, not luxury. He has never even seen one lakh rupees in one place. His annual income is less than Rs 3 lakh. Yet, the tax department says crores of rupees have been routed through his name.

For Ravinder, this was not just a legal problem. It was a direct attack on his dignity. He says, “I cannot even dream of such money. How can they say I have hidden 46 crore?”

How It All Began

The story goes back to 2019. At that time, Ravinder was working as a mess helper at a toll plaza on Gwalior bypass. His supervisor asked him to give his bank account details and Aadhaar card. He was told that this was needed to deposit PF (Provident Fund) and incentive money.

Ravinder trusted his boss. He gave the details. A new account was opened in his name. He believed this account would help him get his rightful savings. But for months, he received nothing. Not a single rupee was credited. When he tried to close the account, he was told it was not possible.

In 2023, the toll plaza’s contract ended. Ravinder lost his job. He went to Pune in search of new work. He thought that old bank account was gone forever. But he was wrong.

The First Notice – Ignored in Fear

On April 9, 2025, Ravinder’s family received a notice from the Income Tax Department. It was written in English. Neither Ravinder nor his wife could understand it. They thought it was some official mistake. So they ignored it.

But trouble doubled. On July 25, 2025, a second notice came. This one clearly mentioned a figure – Rs 46 crore. It said his income for the financial year 2020-21 was that much, and he had not paid the tax.

Ravinder rushed back from Pune. He was scared. He could not believe that his name was being dragged into such a huge fraud.

The Official Words

The notice from the Gwalior branch of the Income Tax Department stated:

“Income chargeable to tax has escaped assessment to the extent of Rs 46,18,32,916 for the financial year 2020-21 relevant to the assessment year 2021-22. Therefore, the case of the assessee is found to be a fit case for issuance of notice.”

For Ravinder, these were heavy words. He only understood one thing: the government believed he was hiding crores.

The Dark Secret Behind the Account

With the help of lawyer Pradhuman Singh Bhadoriya, Ravinder started to dig deeper. What they found shocked them.

The bank account opened in 2019 in his name was still active. But someone else was using it. Huge transactions were done without his knowledge. The money trail went to Delhi, where an account was opened under the name of Shourya Trading Company.

Between 2020 and 2021, nearly Rs 46 crore passed through this account. Only about Rs 13 lakh remains today. The rest has vanished.

Ravinder’s own personal account, on the other hand, showed normal activity. Small deposits, small withdrawals. Nothing unusual.

Filing Complaints – But No Real Help

Shaken, Ravinder went to the Siraul police station in Gwalior. He filed a complaint. But the police told him the fraud took place in Delhi. So they could not investigate. He should go there, they said.

He also went to the Superintendent of Police’s office and the cyber cell. But again, no strong action was taken. He feels like he is running from office to office, but no one is truly listening.

A Man Caught Between Systems

Ravinder is caught in a cruel trap. On one side, the tax department is demanding crores. On the other, police are passing his case around. Meanwhile, his simple life is destroyed. He works long hours at the dhaba, yet sleeps in fear. Every knock at the door feels like danger.

He says, “If they check my real earnings, they will know the truth. I only know how to cook. I don’t even understand these bank papers. Why will I hide crores?”

The Bigger Picture

This is not just one man’s story. It shows how dangerous it can be to share Aadhaar, PAN, or bank details without thinking. Fraudsters can use these documents to open accounts, run businesses, and launder money. The innocent person is then trapped.

Experts say that banks and supervisors must take strict responsibility. A dhaba cook cannot possibly make crores. Why didn’t red flags go up when such transactions happened? Why was the account not frozen earlier?

This case also shows the need for stronger action from cyber police. If small citizens like Ravinder are not protected, fraudsters will continue to use their names for scams.

What Next for Ravinder?

At present, Ravinder’s lawyer is preparing to challenge the notice legally. They will try to prove his innocence with income proofs, work history, and account details.

The police say they have received his complaint. They will soon decide on jurisdiction and further steps. But time is moving fast. For Ravinder, every passing day is filled with stress.

His wife and family are also shaken. They fear that he may be arrested or forced to pay crores, even though he has no link to the fraud.

Final Thoughts

A cook at a dhaba earning a few thousand rupees has been dragged into a Rs 46 crore tax fraud. The case is almost unbelievable. But it is real.

It is a reminder that common people, who live with honesty and hard work, can fall victim to crimes they don’t even understand. Ravinder is fighting not just for himself, but for justice.

His case must be handled with care. Authorities need to act fast. Otherwise, a simple man will pay the price for the greed and crimes of others.