Jharkhand Election 2024: Just days before the first phase of polling in Jharkhand on November 13, the Income Tax (I-T) Department has intensified its investigative actions. The agency conducted a series of raids on the residence of Sunil Srivastava, personal secretary to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, along with other close associates linked to the CM.
Widespread Raids Targeting Key Figures
In recent weeks, the I-T Department had already initiated action, targeting two locations in Ranchi. This time, however, the operation expanded significantly with searches at 11 sites connected to Srivastava.
These raids extended across multiple locations in Jharkhand, including seven in Ranchi and four in Jamshedpur. Notably, the action also encompassed other business premises, such as Anjania Steel in Jamshedpur, though full details on these raids are yet to emerge.
Suspicions of Election-Related Hawala Transactions
The trigger for these investigations appears to be intelligence on possible financial irregularities linked to the upcoming elections. Sources indicate the I-T Department received information suggesting large sums of money were being moved through hawala channels to influence the assembly polls. Responding to these reports, the department launched an extensive operation on October 26, covering 35 locations in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Giridih, and Kolkata.
During these raids, authorities uncovered documents detailing suspected benami (proxy-owned) properties and investments estimated at a staggering Rs 150 crore. Additionally, a closer examination of seized records and accounting led to the recovery of Rs 70 lakh deposited in a bank account, allegedly unaccounted for by the involved parties.
Earlier Raids on CM’s Close Associates
Prior to these raids, on November 5, a separate investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) targeted Pankaj Mishra, another close associate of CM Hemant Soren. Mishra is reportedly implicated in an illegal mining scam amounting to Rs 1200 crore. The CBI’s operation spanned 16 locations linked to Mishra and resulted in the seizure of cash, gold, silver, and live ammunition. Specifically, Rs 60 lakh in cash, one kilogram of gold, one and a quarter kilograms of silver, and 61 live cartridges were recovered.
This investigation into illegal mining follows a court order that prompted the CBI to file a case in November 2023. These actions reflect a broader effort by investigative agencies to curb illegal financial practices that may influence the electoral process in Jharkhand.
ED had raided residence of minister's brother
Earlier on 14 October, the Enforcement Directorate had raided the house of the brother of the cabinet minister of the Hemant government. The ED had raided the residences of Vinay Thakur, brother of Soren government's cabinet minister Mithlesh Thakur, private secretary Harendra Singh and several engineers of the department in connection with the alleged scam in Jal Jeevan Mission.
This is not new for Jharkhand: Cong
Reacting to the I-T searches, the state Congress said this is not new for Jharkhand.
Congress leader Rakesh Sinha claimed, “This is nothing new for Jharkhand. I-T raids are often carried out on the premises of opposition leaders and their staffers in the state. The BJP is trying to establish its footing through I-T and ED raids ahead of the elections. With such actions, they are just attempting to create pressure on opposition leaders.”
BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said, “I do not know why the ruling parties in the state link the searches with the elections. They should wait till the official version of the I-T department comes out.”
(PRAKASH KUMAR PANDEY)
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