In a major IT operation, the Income Tax department has seized more than Rs 200 crore in cash during raids conducted at various locations in Odisha and Jharkhand. The searches carried out on Friday, targeted the premises of Boudh Distilleries Pvt. Ltd. (BDPL) and locations allegedly linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu in Ranchi and Lohardaga.
Reports from sections of the media indicate that a significant amount of cash, found stuffed in bags, was recovered from Balangir and Sambalpur. Senior officials from the Income Tax department have revealed that the issue is related to an alleged case of tax evasion. Visuals circulating on social media show bundles of cash stacked in an almirah, reportedly discovered during the raids.
“So far, around Rs 200 crore has been recovered, but the counting is still ongoing, so the final amount may be higher. Over 25 premises were searched in Odisha and Jharkhand. In Odisha, some areas are in Naxal territory, making them sensitive zones. There are instances of off-the-book sales of liquor,” shared a source within the Income Tax department with ThePrint.
Commencing on Wednesday, the Income Tax department targeted premises linked to nearly half a dozen companies, including S. Shiv Ganga and Company, Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd (BDPL), and Ranisati Paddy Processing Private Ltd. Raids also took place at locations associated with prominent liquor entrepreneurs Deepak Sahu and Sanjay Sahu in Odisha’s Titilagarh.
In response to the revelations, BJP leaders have announced Press conferences and protests across the country today, highlighting the alleged corruption of Jharkhand Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu, from whom authorities recovered nearly ₹200 crores in unaccounted cash.
Besides Odisha, the Income Tax Department also conducted raids on Sahu’s business premises in Jharkhand and West Bengal. According to a report by The Indian Express, some areas are in Naxal-affected regions, prompting the Income Tax department to exercise caution during the raids.
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