Six key GST officials in Chennai transferred after Sowcarpet traders incident

Ritchie Street in Chennai wears a deserted look on August 1, 2026 after traders closed their shops in support of Sowcarpet merchants amid concerns over GST inspections. | Photo Credit: J. Johan Sathyadas Six key Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials have been transferred out of Chennai in the wake of the Sowcarpet incident in which a group of GST officials were rounded up by traders on July 30, 2026 accusing of corruption, signalling a major shakeup in the department.The names include Madan Mohan Singh, Principal Chief Commissioner, Chennai CGST; Pradip Kumar Suman, Principal Commissioner CGST Chennai North; Shivaprakash Veeresh Baddi, Additional Commissioner (CGST Chennai North) and B. Lokanath Reddy, Additional Commissioner CGST Chennai (Appeals II). Apart from this, two Deputy Commissioners M. Pandaram and N. Sudhakar from CGST Chennai North have also been transferred.Two separate sources said the transfers came in August after traders in Sowcarpet alleged harassment by GST department officials. Published - August 11, 2026 12:03 am IST