Big action of I-T Dept in Sagar, search conducted on locations of former MLA Harvansh Singh Rathore's brother

In the wake of recent discoveries of massive cash and gold in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh's capital, the Income Tax (I-T) Department has intensified its operations across the state. Over the past week, multiple I-T raids have been conducted at various locations, sending ripples through political and business communities alike.

The latest raid targeted the residence of Kuldeep Singh Rathore, a prominent bidi industrialist and the brother of former BJP MLA Harvansh Singh Rathore. The raid was conducted in the Sadar area of Sagar, Bundelkhand's largest district, and coincided with Harvansh Singh's name being floated as a leading contender for the post of Sagar BJP District President.

Convoy of 50 vehicles arrived from Bhopal 

Early Sunday morning, a convoy of approximately 50 vehicles arrived in Sagar from Bhopal, marking the onset of the search operation. The I-T Department's team conducted extensive searches at the bungalow, office, and other properties associated with Kuldeep Singh Rathore. The raids also included the premises of Rajesh Kesharwani, another prominent bidi businessman and former BJP corporator.

News of the raids quickly spread, drawing a crowd of supporters and locals to the Rathore's residence.  I-T officials meticulously scrutinized documents behind closed gates.

Unease among local businessmen and politicians

This high-profile operation has caused significant unease among local businessmen and politicians. Kuldeep Singh and his brother Harvansh Singh Rathore are influential figures in Sagar's political and industrial landscape. Harvansh Singh, a BJP MLA from the Banda constituency in 2013, is the son of late Harnam Singh Rathore, a former minister in Shivraj Singh Chouhan's government.

Both brothers have been active in district politics and were reportedly vying for the position of BJP District President. Observers believe that the raids could potentially weaken their political aspirations and diminish their standing in the party.

Speculations of Disproportionate Assets

The I-T Department has not officially disclosed the reasons behind the raids, but sources indicate they are part of a larger investigation into disproportionate assets. Reports suggest that the team is meticulously verifying financial records, focusing on potential irregularities linked to the bidi business and political connections.

Prakash Kumar Pandey