IT raids: Clarification sought from MP Dheeraj Sahu, says Jharkhand Cong boss

Jharkhand Congress president Avinash Pandey said it was a “private matter” of Dheeraj Sahu and the party had nothing to do with it.

(L) Cash seized by the Income Tax Department following raids against an Odisha-based distillery group and associated entities.

Ranchi: Jharkhand Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey on Sunday said the party has sought clarification from its Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Prasad Sahu and asked him to make a public statement to explain the recovery of huge amounts of cash which were recovered during raids at the Income Tax Department on a property linked to him.

Pandey reiterated Congress’ stand on the issue and said it was a ‘private matter’ of Sahu and the party has nothing to do with it. However, the MP has been asked to provide a response to clarify his position.

“Since he is a Congressman, he should make an official statement on how such a large amount of money came to him,” Pandey said while talking to media persons at the Birsa Munda Airport in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi.

He also said, “The party has a clear stand that it is a private matter of Dheeraj Sahu, who has nothing to do with the Congress party.

Stacks of cash recovered from properties linked to Sahu

A huge pile of cash has been recovered so far during the searches conducted by the Income Tax Department against Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Private Limited and its associated entities. According to officials, buildings associated with Sahu were also taken as part of the searches.

The amount of seizures is expected to reach Rs 290 crore, making it the “highest ever” cash recovery by any agency in a single operation, official sources said on Saturday.

Pandey said that the Income Tax department has not made any official statement on the raid and recovery so far, but the manner in which allegations related to the party are being leveled is unfortunate.

“The family that has had a branch here for more than 100 years and is the joint company of the family. Dheeraj Sahu is just one part of the company. But Sahu must clarify how such a large amount came to him,” Pandey said.

However, he said that there should also be an official statement from the Income Tax Department about the amount of cash and how it came in.

Pandey was in Ranchi to meet retired state administrator Dr. Sanjay Singh and retired Kargil warrior Hridaynand Yadav, who had joined the Congress party at the party headquarters.

Pandey in his speech at the Congress headquarters alleged that a conspiracy is being executed to defame the opposition parties in the country.

“Since the day a majority alliance government came to power in Jharkhand, the BJP has been hatching a conspiracy to destabilize it. This is not only happening in Jharkhand, but the conspiracy is being perpetrated against all non-BJP governments elected through a democratic process in the country under ‘Operation Lotus’. The BJP is doing it openly without worrying about constitutional values,” he said.

Taking a look at Pandey’s statement, senior BJP leader and Ranchi MLA CP Singh said, “Congress wants to get rid of Sahu so that its bosses can be protected. Is the Sahu Congress MP or independent? If he is an independent candidate, he can say he has nothing to do with that party.”

(With input from agencies)