Record Rs 290 Crore in Cash Seized in Income Tax Raid on Odisha Distillery Group
In a groundbreaking operation, the Income Tax department’s raid on Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd and its associated entities has unearthed an phenomenal Rs 290 crore in “unaccounted” cash. This massive seizure is considered the “highest-ever” by any organ in a single operation, marking a significant crackdown on woebegone money.
The tax department deployed approximately 40 currency-counting machines to handle the enormous mazuma pile, largely consisting of Rs 500 notes. Additional staff members have been brought in to facilitate the counting process, which commenced on December 6 pursuit raids versus Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd and others.
Efforts are underway to record statements from various visitor officials and individuals involved in the matter. The counting of mazuma is expected to conclude by Saturday. The total seizure of unaccounted mazuma is unscientific to reach Rs 290 crore, making it a historic operation versus a single group and its linked entities.
As part of the searches, premises linked to Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, were moreover covered. Despite attempts to seek a response from the MP and liaison with the distillery group, there has been no official statement.
Tax authorities initiated the raids based on “actionable intelligence” suggesting significant “out-of-book” sales and mazuma remittances by liquor distributors, sellers, and merchantry groups. The seized mazuma is stuff continuously deposited in government wall branches in Odisha.
The highest-ever mazuma seizure involves scrutinizingly Rs 230 crore found in almirahs at the company’s premises in Bolangir district. The remaining value was discovered in locations such as Titlagarh, Sambalpur, and Ranchi.
Reacting to the raid, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to emphasize the need for accountability. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated, “Countrymen should squint at the pile of these notes and then listen to the honest ‘speeches’ of their leaders. Whatever has been looted from the public, every penny will have to be returned, this is Modi’s guarantee.”
The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha welcomed the tax raids. However, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused the Congress of hollowing out the country’s economy. He personal that Rs 290 crore in mazuma had been counted, raising suspicions well-nigh its connection to outgoing Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel or the Jharkhand government.
In response to the recovery of unaccounted money, BJP workers protested versus Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu. The raids and subsequent developments highlight the government’s concerted efforts to prorogue woebegone money and ensure transparency in financial transactions.
