I-T Raids On Liquor Firms In Odisha: BJP MLA Links Ex-Legislator Who Warns Of Legal Action

Bhubaneswar: Amid ongoing raids by Income Tax (I-T) department officials on property linked to alcohol manufacturing firms in Odisha, BJP MLA Kusum Tete on Thursday alleged that a liquor unit was registered in the name of former legislator Jogesh Singh’s mother.

However, Singh sharply reacted to the allegation and refuted the claim. The ex-MLA also threatened to take legal action if Tete fails to refrain from making such claims.

As I-T officials continued search operations in different places in the state including Sundargarh, Tete made serious allegation against the ex-MLA. She alleged that a liquor manufacturing unit being raided was registered in the name of Singh’s mother.

Stating that she had raised the issue in the Assembly several times, the BJP legislator claimed that the government did not pay any heed to the issue. Tete, however, added that the name might have changed by now.

Stoutly refuting the allegation, Singh said he does not have any liquor manufacturing unit though he has family relations with the trader. That does not mean he is a partner in the business.

Terming the allegation made by the MLA are unfortunate, Singh said he would take legal action if she fails to refrain from this.

It may be noted here that I-T officials continued raids on property linked to various alcohol manufacturing firms in the state, including Bhubaneswar, Balangir, Titilagarh, Boudh, and Sundargarh over alleged tax evasion, on the second day on Thursday.

Currently, simultaneous raids are underway at 20 places in Odisha, 2 places in Jharkhand and 2 places in Kolkata.