After conducting raids at various locations associated with Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu, Income Tax officials have revealed that out of the seized Rs 351 crore, Rs 329 crore was discovered concealed in dilapidated buildings in small towns across Odisha.
The officials disclosed that the cash was found in hidden chambers and a covert safe-house disguised as an unoccupied residence in towns such as Sudapada, Titlagarh in Bolangir district, and Khetrajrajpur in Sambhalpur district. The operation also led to the confiscation of unaccounted jewelry exceeding Rs 2.80 crore.
During the search, a substantial amount of incriminating evidence in the form of documents and digital data was uncovered and seized, according to officials. Preliminary analysis of the seized evidence indicated records of unreported sales of country liquor, systematic details of undisclosed cash receipts, and references to the movement of unaccounted cash.
In a statement, the officials stated, “The main employees overseeing the business activities of the group have acknowledged that the seized cash represents the unaccounted income generated through its various business concerns. This admission was further confirmed by a family member actively involved in the business. The findings suggest significant suppression of income earned from the liquor business by the group.”
In response, Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu denied any association between the seized money and his political party or any other political entity. Speaking to the media, he expressed distress, stating that this incident is unprecedented in his 30-35 years of political career. Sahu admitted that the recovered money belonged to his firm and was proceeds from the sale of liquor.
It is worth noting that the Income Tax officials concluded their raid at Sahu’s premises in Balangir, Odisha. The IT Department recovered Rs 351 crore in cash during searches at Boudh Distillery Private Limited, a company allegedly linked to Dhiraj Sahu. The Congress party distanced itself from the cash haul, emphasizing that only Sahu could provide an explanation for the money found in premises connected to him.
