The Income Tax Department’s ongoing raids against Boudh Distillery Private Limited in Odisha have led to the recovery of cash exceeding ₹200 crore. Officials revealed that these searches, initiated on Wednesday, are anticipated to uncover unaccounted funds amounting to nearly ₹250 crore linked to an Odisha-based distillery group and its associated entities.
The operation, which remains ongoing, has resulted in the seizure of substantial amounts, primarily in cash, from various locations. Around ₹200 crore was found stashed in almirahs at a premise in Balangir district, while the remaining sum was discovered in diverse locations spanning Odisha, Jharkhand, and Kolkata.
Moreover, the searches encompassed properties associated with Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, a Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, as per official sources. Despite attempts to reach out to the distillery group for comment, no response was received.
The intricate task of counting the seized cash is underway with the deployment of three dozen counting machines by the tax department. However, due to limited machine capacity, the counting process progresses at a slower pace, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the development on social media, condemning the Congress party while referencing a news report about the recovery of ₹200 crore. He emphasized the need for accountability, stating that every penny wrongfully acquired from the public would be reclaimed.
Despite efforts to reach out to Mr. Sahu for comment, his staff conveyed their inability to facilitate a response to the I-T department’s actions. The sources indicated that the raids were initiated based on intelligence reports regarding substantial cash transactions within liquor distribution networks and business circles, prompting the taxman’s intervention.
The ongoing investigation signifies a stringent approach toward unearthing unaccounted wealth, emphasizing the government’s commitment to combatting financial irregularities and ensuring transparency in financial transactions across sectors.
Sources By Agencies
