PM Modi Assures Return of Looted Public Money as IT Raids Odisha Distillery Group

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the public that the money looted from them will be returned, following the Income Tax departments recovery of over Rs 225 crore cash during raids on an Odisha-based distillery group accused of tax evasion.

In a significant development, the Income Tax department has seized over Rs 225 crore in cash during a series of raids conducted on an Odisha-based distillery group on charges of tax evasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to the situation, assuring the public that the money looted from them will be returned.

PM Modi's Statement

Taking to social media, Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation, emphasizing the importance of holding accountable those involved in corruption. He urged citizens to witness the piles of recovered cash and contrast them with the dishonest speeches of certain leaders. The Prime Minister firmly stated that every penny looted from the public must be returned, underscoring his commitment to justice.

Political Reactions

The cash recovery has sparked political reactions, with the BJP demanding a CBI probe into the episode. BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra presented photographs of a female minister from Odisha's western region sharing a platform with one of the liquor traders whose premises were raided. The BJP alleged that such tax evasion could not have occurred without the support of local leaders and the state government.

In response, BJD MLA Satyanarayan Pradhan dismissed the BJP's allegations, asserting that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has zero tolerance for corruption and believes in transparency. He emphasized that those found guilty will face legal consequences, as the law will take its course.

IT Raids Continue

The Income Tax department has continued its raids, discovering 156 bags of cash during a search operation on the third consecutive day in Sudapada, Bolangir district, which is linked to the distillery group. By Friday afternoon, Rs 25 crore had been counted from the bags, bringing the total recovered amount to Rs 225 crore. The raids have been conducted across multiple locations, including Sambalpur, Bolangir, Titilagarh, Boudh, Sundargarh, Rourkela, and Bhubaneswar.

Largest Cash Seizure in Odisha

Former IT commissioner Sarat Chandra Dash remarked that this could be the largest cash seizure by the Income Tax department in Odisha's history. The department's Director General, Sanjay Bahadur, arrived in Bhubaneswar to oversee the operations. While no arrests have been made yet, the department remains optimistic about establishing links before initiating legal action.

The massive cash recovery in Odisha has exposed the extent of tax evasion and corruption in the state. Prime Minister Modi's assurance to return the looted money to the public reflects his commitment to combating corruption and ensuring justice. As the Income Tax department continues its investigations, the political fallout from this incident is likely to intensify, with demands for accountability and transparency.