IT raids Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot's close aides

MUMBAI: Amid the brewing political crisis in Rajasthan, the Income Tax (IT) department is carrying out searches in Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai on alleged close aides of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, sources in the know told ET.

In Mumbai, searches are underway at eight locations of two companies namely- Mayank Sharma Enterprises and Om Kothari group, these sources added.

“Mayank Sharma Enterprises owns the Triton hotels whose main investor Rathankant Sharma has previously been accused by the opposition party of having close links with Gehlot’s son and even accused of laundering money for him. The Enforcement Directorate is probing him separately for the same,” said an official privy to the development. “The IT raids are in connection with a suspicious tax evasion case between a Mauritius based entity and Triton group,” added the official.

“While Sharma is Mumbai-based, he isn’t in Mumbai and could have moved out of the city owing to the COVID 19 pandemic. The company's books and other records are being studied,” added the official.

These sources also added that Om Kothari group has links with close relatives of Gehlot.