Income Tax Department Raids Residences of Indian MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, Unearths Over Rs 290 Crore in Cash

The Income Tax Department conducted a comprehensive raid on the residences of Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha representing Jharkhand. The operation, which took place on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, unfolded at his homes in Odisha and Jharkhand, revealing a staggering amount of over Rs 290 crore in cash.

The meticulously executed raid exposed the substantial cache of currency concealed in various locations, including cupboards, within Sahu’s residences. Notably, the cash was discovered in both states where the MP maintains his properties. A video documenting the operation has surfaced, showcasing the meticulous counting of the currency notes, which were predominantly in denominations of Rs 2000, Rs 500, and Rs 100.

To facilitate the counting process, the Income Tax Department reportedly deployed three dozen counting machines. The focus of the investigation revolves around tracing the origin of this substantial amount of cash and its potential connection to the business operations of Diraj Sahu, specifically his involvement with companies such as Bodhi Distillery Private Limited and Baldev Sahu Infra Private Limited.

As of now, Dhiraj Prasad Sahu has refrained from making any official comments regarding the raid.

Diraj Prasad Sahu, born on November 23, 1955, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, is a seasoned politician with a significant political career. A three-time member of the Rajya Sabha, Sahu’s political journey began in 1977 when he joined the Youth Congress in Lohardaga district, Jharkhand. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in political history, Sahu’s father, Rai Saheb Baldev Sahu, was a freedom fighter actively involved in the Indian independence movement.

Sahu joined the Congress party in his youth, and his family has been associated with the Indian National Congress since the country’s independence. His brother, Shiv Prasad Sahu, is also a political figure, having been elected to the Lok Sabha from Ranchi twice.

The raid on Diraj Prasad Sahu’s residences has cast a shadow over his financial affairs, prompting an in-depth investigation by the Income Tax Department. The operation raises questions about the sources of Sahu’s income, and the ongoing inquiry may potentially lead to criminal charges.

In 2018, during the nomination for his Rajya Sabha seat, Sahu declared assets amounting to Rs 34.83 crore, emphasizing the absence of any criminal cases against him. The MP owns several luxury cars, including a BMW and a Fortuner.

As the investigation unfolds, the political landscape awaits further developments in this high-profile case, with potential legal repercussions for Dhiraj Prasad Sahu.

I have #NeverSeen anything like this; if you are a regular mortal, you havent either; my colleague @mukeshmukeshs shares video from #ITRaid in #Jharkhand where at least Rs 200 crore was caught; counting is still on; Did you say India was poor? Yes, in morality @ndtv @ndtvindia pic.twitter.com/Mv1HKMQifk

— Uma Sudhir (@umasudhir) December 8, 2023