Odisha’s journey towards a corruption-free state: From politician to businessmen, none spared!

With an agenda of zero tolerance towards corruption, the BJP came to power in Odisha. And, after forming the government in the State, the saffron party intensified its crackdown on financial irregularities and fraud.

The Income Tax (IT) Department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have carried out multiple raids on the properties of many prominent personalities including politicians, construction companies, and mining businessmen on tax evasion and financial irregularities charges.

Here's a sneak peek into the raids conducted by central agencies- ED & I-T department since the formation of the BJP government in Odisha:

Opposition Chief Whip Pramilla Mallik’s Brother

The Enforcement Directorate carried out raids on the houses of Opposition Chip Whip Pramilla Mallik’s brother late Khirod Mallik’s residence in New Delhi and three places in Sambalpur in December in connection with an alleged financial fraud amounting to Rs 231 crore.

Pramilla Mallik’s Brother In ED Scanner

Mallik’s NGO-Bharat Integrated Social Welfare Agency (BISWA), is under scrutiny for purportedly misusing a significant amount of funds. Around 505 Benami bank accounts with Rs 72 lakh deposits were found during the raid. Later, the central agency froze these bank accounts.

ED raids properties of former OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik

The Enforcement Directorate raided the properties of senior Congress leader and former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik’s residence in Bhubaneswar in December. 

ED raids properties of former OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik

The ED team comprising around 8-10 members raided Patnaik’s house located in Nayapalli along with three other places. Though it still remains unclear why the central agency carried out the searches, it is suspected that illegal financial transactions might be the reason behind the ED action.

ED Raid on Z Estates

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bhubaneswar Zonal Office, conducted search operations at nine locations in Odisha, Delhi and Gurugram under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 in November in connection with an investigation being carried out against M/s Z Estates Private Limited (ZEPL) & others. 

ED Raid on Z Estates

Unaccounted cash amounting to Rs. 1.39 crore along with various incriminating documents in respect of foreign investment received by M/s ZEPL were recovered and seized during the raid.

Mining Businessman Properties Raided by ED

Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted simultaneous raids on the properties linked to Ratnakar Rout, a mining businessman in Odisha in January. The ED officials from Delhi raided 12 places in Dhenkanal and Bhubaneswar in connection with cases related to alleged financial transactions and mining operations.

Mining Businessman Properties Raided by ED

Fraudster Hansita, Anil in IT Dept Net

The Income Tax Department carried out extensive raids at the residences of real-life ‘Bunty Babli’ Hansita Abhilipsa and her ‘aide’ Anil Mohanty, as part of an ongoing investigation into a multi-crore fraud case. Raids were carried out in several locations including Bhubaneswar, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Jharkhand, and Delhi. The two have been accused of cheating builders, mines owners and businessmen by introducing themselves as the daughter and son-in-law of PM Modi’s Principal Secretary PK Mishra.

Fraudster Hansita, Anil in IT Dept Net

IT Dept Raid on Late BJD Leader Naba Das’ Brother’s Properties

Income Tax department officials conducted simultaneous raids at 44 locations associated with Brajakishore Das, a super-class contractor and brother of former BJD leader and cabinet minister Naba Das on January 17. 

IT Dept Raid on Late BJD Leader Naba Das’ Brother’s Properties

The coordinated operation involved joint teams from Bhubaneswar and Chhattisgarh. The exact motivation and the specific link or reasons for the raid remain undisclosed. The raids were underway on the second consecutive day on Saturday.

Construction Company Raided for Tax Evasion

The Income Tax Department on Thursday launched simultaneous raids targeting the well-known Ramchandi Construction Company in Subarnapur district, amidst serious allegations of tax evasion.  

Construction Company Raided for Tax Evasion

The raids commenced at around 3 am on January 17 and were carried out across multiple sites linked to the company's owner, Srinivas Mishra. The department's action comes in response to concerns over potential large-scale tax discrepancies.