Ex-Odisha MLA Sanatan Mahakud under I-T scanner over 'tax evasion', property raided 

The Income Tax Department officials carried out simultaneous raids on the properties associated with former Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud on tax evasion charges, on Thursday.

According to sources, simultaneous raids were conducted at 10 locations including Bhubaneswar, Keonjhar and Joda.

Separate teams of the I-T department carried out the search operations at the former legislator's residences in Keonjhar, ancestral home at Namibara and three-four places in Bhubaneswar, sources informed.

Besides, Mahakud’s office, Golaka Bihari Palace and personal assistant Bikash Mohanty’s house in Bhubaneswar were also searched by a 10-member I-T department team.

The IT department team, which is searching the house of Mohanty, is said to have recovered huge cash during the raid. 

Moreover, Mahakud’s other office at Jharpada in Bhubaneswar was also searched by the I-T officials.

Similarly, three places in Keonjhar are also being searched by the IT department officials.

It is worthwhile to mention here that, five bank accounts belonging to Mahakud having cash deposits worth Rs 165 crore were frozen in 2018.