Income Tax Raid Concludes at Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu's Premises in Odisha

Visuals showed Income Tax officials and CISF personnel leaving the location. Sources indicate that approximately Rs 280 crore in cash was recovered from Sahu’s Balangir premises alone during the operation

Income tax officials wrapped up their investigation with a conclusion to the raid at Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu’s premises in Odisha’s Balangir on Tuesday. Visuals showed Income Tax officials and CISF personnel leaving the location. Sources indicate that approximately Rs 280 crore in cash was recovered from Sahu’s Balangir premises alone during the operation.

Earlier, during the Income Tax raids on properties linked to Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu, substantial amounts of currency notes were seized. The counting process involved 176 bags, with 140 already counted. Officials from three banks and 50 Income Tax officials were engaged in the process, employing 40 currency counting machines.

The raids targeted Boudh Distilleries Private Limited and its associated entities. The groupgress company, Baldev Sahu Infra Pvt Ltd, reportedly connected to Sahu, faced scrutiny. The ongoing investigation has led to the recovery of more than Rs 300 crore in cash from various locations in Odisha and Jharkhand. The raids have provided political fodder, with the BJP seizing on the issue to criticize the Congress on corruption allegations.

BJP MP Giriraj Singh accused the Congress of saving money for use in upcoming elections against Prime Minister Modi. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the connection between the Congress party and corruption, stating that ongoing IT raids are exposing corrupt activities by Congress and its allies. In response, Congress MP KC Venugopal distanced the party from Sahu, asserting that he must explain the cash recoveries.

The development adds another layer to the ongoing political dynamics, with the Congress facing scrutiny and the BJP leveraging the situation to underscore its anti-corruption narrative.