Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown during the ongoing twin elections in Odisha, Income Tax department officials seized over Rs three crore in cash from a close aide of an influential political leader in Bhubaneswar.
Following a tip-off, the I-T officials intercepted the car of the leader on Monday evening and recovered the huge cash. The leader was not travelling in the vehicle during the raid. Unconfirmed sources said the cash was recovered from the personal security officer (PSO) of the political leader in his car.
Suspecting that the cash belonged to the leader, I-T officials later conducted raid at his house in the capital city to ascertain if he has stashed more money.
Notably, I-T officials had earlier seized Rs 1 crore cash from a city based real estate firm Stalwarts Projects. Its proprietor Sharat Kumar Sahu was unable to explain the source of the cash. Sources said I-T department officials are investigating whether the cash was supposed to be distributed during elections or it was accumulated by evading payment of taxes.
In another operation, flying squad stopped the car of a woman political leader in Adenigarh area under Purunakatak police limits in Boudh district on Monday and seized Rs 10 lakh cash. The I-T officials also launched an investigation into the seizure of over Rs 10 lakh cash each from Rourkela and Jharsuguda in the last two days.
Sources said that a close vigil is being maintained on illegal movement of cash during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Information is also being collected to ascertain if anyone has stashed cash possibly to use it during the elections.
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