The Income Tax department's recent raids in Odisha and Jharkhand have uncovered unaccounted cash amounting to over Rs 200 crore linked to Baldeo Sahu and Group of Companies Ltd, primarily a country-liquor manufacturing and distribution firm. The group's association allegedly extends to Dhiraj Sahu, a Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, with family members reportedly involved in the business. The raids, spanning various locations in Odisha and Jharkhand, commenced on Wednesday, leading to the seizure of substantial sums of cash from different premises linked to the company. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took note of the significant cash haul, highlighting the need for accountability and the return of any public funds that might have been unlawfully obtained.
The initial discovery of a large cache of cash at the Sudpada distillery unit in Bolangir district prompted further searches, uncovering more cash at other associated sites, including liquor manufacturing units and corporate offices in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, and various locations in Jharkhand. The seized cash, estimated at over Rs 200 crore, is currently undergoing counting at State Bank of India branches in Bolangir and Sambalpur. The counting process began on Thursday and is anticipated to continue into Saturday. The crackdown underscores the authorities' efforts to address unaccounted wealth and emphasizes the need for transparent financial practices in the country.
Key Points:
1. Income Tax officials have seized more than Rs 200 crore in unaccounted cash during raids at various locations in Odisha and Jharkhand associated with Baldeo Sahu and Group of Companies Ltd, a country-liquor manufacturing and selling firm.
2. The group, reportedly linked to Dhiraj Sahu, a Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, is a partnership firm of Boudh Distilleries Private Limited (BDPL) and is a prominent country-liquor manufacturing entity.
3. The searches were conducted at multiple places in Balangir, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, and Bhubaneswar in Odisha, as well as in some locations in Jharkhand.
4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the large cash seizure, expressing a commitment to recovering every penny looted from the public.
5. The raids initially uncovered a substantial amount of cash at the Sudpada distillery unit in Bolangir district, which was later taken to a nearby State Bank of India branch for counting.
6. Significant amounts of cash were also seized from a country liquor manufacturing unit in Dhanupali and the office of Baldeo Sahu and Group of Companies Ltd in Sambalpur, with the seized cash transported to the SBI main branch in Sambalpur.
7. Additional cash was recovered from Sundargarh in Odisha, as well as Bokaro and Ranchi in Jharkhand.
8. The total seizure is estimated to be over Rs 200 crore, and counting is still ongoing.
9. A senior SBI official in Sambalpur confirmed the ongoing counting in two branches, Bolangir and Sambalpur, at the request of Income Tax officials.
10. The raids and cash seizures highlight a significant operation targeting alleged financial irregularities linked to Baldeo Sahu and Group of Companies Ltd, bringing attention to the involvement of a Congress MP from Jharkhand.
(With Agency Inputs)
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