The Income Tax Department seized unaccounted cash valued at Rs 351 crore from premises associated with Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu in Odisha and Jharkhand. This marks the ‘highest-ever’ black money haul by any agency in a single operation.
Commencing on December 6, the raids have progressed, with officials completing the counting of 140 bags of cash out of the total 176.
Subsequently, an additional team of 200 individuals, including security personnel, drivers, and other staff, joined the effort after tax authorities discovered 10 almirahs filled with cash, along with findings in various other locations.
Sources report that they used approximately 200 bags and trunks to transfer the cash for depositing it in various bank branches in Odisha.
A businessman based in Kanpur held the previous highest cash recovery record, with authorities recovering an amount of Rs 257 crore from him in 2019.
Locations associated with Dhiraj Sahu in Ranchi and other areas underwent searches. What was found at the MP’s residence remains unclear.
Meanwhile, the BJP has raised questions about the silence of Congress leader Rahil Gandhi on this issue.
The Congress has distanced itself from the MP but has requested clarification from him.
Jharkhand Congress chief Avinash Pandey stated that he expects the Congress MP to issue an official statement explaining the source of such a substantial amount of money.
