The Income Tax officials conducted raids on the properties of Bhapur and Soro block vice-chairpersons at different places in Nayagarh and Balasore districts.
As per reports, the IT team from Bhubaneswar conducted the raid on houses, business establishments and stone crusher units of Bhapur block Vice-Chairperson and BJD leader Benudhar Pradhan on Monday. The raid was underway for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.
The IT officials are conducting the raids simultaneously at Pradhan’s houses at Fatehgarh and Bhubaneswar, crusher unit at Nimani and Swayam Sadashiv Construction Private Limited. The construction company is under the ownership of three persons including Pradhan.
The IT team is currently examining various documents. They have reportedly seized some important documents and cash during their search operations. A team is searching the walls and roofs of Pradhan’s houses using metallic detectors suspecting that cash and gold are hidden in them.
As per the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Swayam Sadashiv Construction Private Limited Bharat Kumar Behera, they are extending all sorts of support to the IT officials during the raid.
“IT raid is a routine process. The IT officials conducted the raid yesterday and currently it is underway. They may continue it for tomorrow. We are fully cooperating with them and there is nothing to worry about,” said Behera.
“As banks were closed for three days, we had cash of around Rs 15-19 lakh with us and they have seized the amount. We are furnishing important documents as per their requirement,” he added.
Meanwhile, two teams of IT sleuths conducted a raid at the properties of Soro Block Vice-Chairperson Bhramarabara Nayak. The raids are being conducted at Nayak’s house in Bagudi and business establishments including stone mines, a petrol pump and kalyan mandap.
Nayak was absent at his house during the raid. More than 20 IT officials are examining various documents during the raid.
(Reported by Jayendra Behera)