I-T raids at coaching centre of BJD leader in Bhubaneswar, Day 2: What has the dept seized so far?

I-T raids continued for the second consecutive day on Tuesday at six different places, including a coaching institute, belonging to BJD leader Subrat Chhatoi on allegations of tax evasion. At least 10 teams of the I-T department reportedly continued the raids at six different places including Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, and Nimapara.

The raids, which began at around 4 am on Monday, are being conducted at the coaching institutes and business establishments owned by Chhatoi. The I-T teams also conducted raids at the residence of Chhatoi, a close-aide of BJD's organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, in Bhubaneswar and his native place. 

Even as the raid teams are tight-lipped about the raid, as per sources, several important documents including bank details belonging to Chhatoi have been seized by the I-T department.

It is alleged that Chhatoi evaded tax worth lakhs of rupees. However, the BJD leader could not be contacted to comment on the allegations. No comments could be obtained from the I-T officials in this regard.

Worth mentioning that earlier a team of Central Goods and Services Tax (GST) had conducted multiple raids at various centers of the private coaching institute in Bhubaneswar on allegations of tax evasion, in March 2023.