Unaccounted transactions of Rs 150 crore found in Raipur I-T raids

NEW DELHI: Search and seizure operations conducted by the income tax department in Raipur has lead to unearthing of unaccounted transactions amounting of Rs 150 crore, besides incriminating evidence pointing to illegal gratification to public servants every month.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a statement Monday, that it conducted searches on a group of individuals, hawala dealers and businessmen in Raipur, on February 27, but did not reveal the identity of the people or the businessmen.

The authorities also covered other premises based on evidences found during search. “The total unaccounted transactions unearthed till date are over Rs 150 crore and the figure is likely to substantially increase after the seized evidences and leads found during the search are further scrutinised and investigated,” CBDT said.

“Incriminating documents and electronic data seized during the search show that substantial amount of illegal gratification was being paid to public servants and others every month,” it added.

The search action and investigations were continuing and a number of Prohibitory Orders have been placed, including on several bank lockers, CBDT added in the statement issued on March 2.

Authorities also found daily details of unaccounted sales, bank accounts opened in the names of employees having transactions worth crores and an unaccounted bank account.

Details of benami vehicles, hawala transfers, transfer to Kolkata-based companies and creation of shell companies with huge land bank have also been found and seized. Search has also resulted in seizure of substantial amount of cash.

Authorities said that the search action was mounted on the basis of credible inputs, intelligence and evidence of generation of huge unaccounted cash from liquor and mining business and transfer of the same to public servants, huge cash deposits during demonetization period, accommodation entries from shell companies and undisclosed investment in properties.