Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on alleged tax evasion and illicit trade, Income Tax (I-T) department officials conducted simultaneous raids on multiple sites associated with prominent liquor trader Bikram Sahu in Odisha on Thursday.
Sources said similar search operations were carried out at the residences of businessmen Tirupati Sahukar and Someshwar Sahukar in Paralakhemundi. Both are stated to be relatives of Bikram Sahu.
Separate teams of I-T department launched searches at several establishments linked to Bikram Sahu in areas such as Angul, Talcher, Kamakhyanagar in Dhenkanal, Paralakhemundi, Puri, and Bhubaneswar.
The simultaneous operation is part of an ongoing investigation into suspected tax evasion and financial irregularities. The I-T officials are currently examining financial records, including bank statements, account books, and other relevant documents, to uncover potential discrepancies, sources said. The officials are yet to reveal specific details regarding the findings.
In a related operation, I-T officials conducted raids on the residences of brothers Tirupati and Someshwar Sahukar in Paralakhemundi.
A dedicated 12-member team was deployed to scrutinise their financial dealings, focusing on their involvement in the liquor and transport sectors.
The raids are aimed to reveal any undisclosed income and tax violations through a thorough review of the seized materials.
These recent actions align with a broader initiative by the IT Department to address tax evasion within the state’s liquor industry.
It may be recalled that a massive raid on an Odisha-based distillery group resulted in the seizure of Rs 353 crore in cash over a five-day operation in December, 2023.