Big cash haul: Income Tax Department seizes record Rs 351 crore in raids at Congress MP's premises
Big cash haul: Income Tax Department's operations in Odisha and Jharkhand led to an unprecedented cash seizure totaling Rs 351 crore, marking it as the largest-ever black money recovery in a single operation.
The ongoing raids, initiated on December 6, have concluded the count on 140 out of 176 bags of cash seized from locations linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu in Odisha and Jharkhand.
Bhagat Behera, a State Bank of India Regional Manager, mentioned that 140 bags have been tallied, with 50 officials from three banks and 40 machines engaged in the counting process. Efforts are directed to complete the count by Sunday to align with banking hours and return the machines.
With a significant amount yet to be tallied, extra cash-counting machines and personnel were enlisted to expedite the process on Sunday. Engineers are also present to troubleshoot any technical issues with the counting machines.
Visuals depicted officials counting cash bundles recovered from properties linked to Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu, notably from locations tied to Boudh Distillery Private Limited in Odisha. Sahu's family reportedly holds stakes in the alcohol manufacturing business.
The Congress party distanced itself from Dheeraj Sahu following the cash recovery, stating no association with his businesses. AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh emphasized that Sahu alone should account for the substantial cash unearthed by income-tax authorities.
Simultaneously, Income Tax Department investigators recorded statements from company officials and others associated with the case.
- With inputs from agencies
