Bhubaneswar: The Income Tax Department on Thursday raided 20 locations linked to late Odisha Minister Naba Das and his family over alleged tax irregularities in coal and ash transport.
The operation, involving 220 officials and CRPF support, covered Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bhubaneswar, and Delhi. Two I-T teams reported to have conducted raids at Das’ residence in Jharsuguda.
His Bhubaneswar residence, however, remained untouched.
Sources said that the probe also covers properties of his daughter Deepali Das and close associates. Details about suspected alleged financial irregularities and seized materials are yet to be officially disclosed by the authorities.
Meanwhile, the raids have sparked political discussions in Odisha, given the former minister’s prominence and past affiliations with Congress and BJD before his assassination.
Earlier this year, in January, Income Tax officials had conducted simultaneous searches on properties linked to Das’ brother Braja Kishore Das, a super-class contractor, in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh and Bhubaneswar over suspected tax evasion.
