Day 5: Counting ₹350 Crore Cash Seized From Congress MP’s Distillery – 36 Bags Left, 25 Machines In Operation

In an unprecedented operation, 50 bank officials, 40 counting machines, and five days of relentless counting resulted in a staggering ₹353.5 crore cash seizure from an Odisha-based distillery owned by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu’s family. This marks the largest single seizure by any investigative agency in India.

The income tax department covered premises linked to Sahu in Ranchi and other locations. In Odisha, the counting of cash is nearly complete, with Balangir district witnessing the most substantial recovery of ₹305 crore, followed by Sambalpur with ₹37.5 crore and Titlagarh with ₹11 crore.

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All seized cash will be deposited at the State Bank of India’s main branch in Balangir. The bank will continue normal operations during this process, as confirmed by SBI regional manager Bhagat Behera, who provided an update on the ongoing counting.

The income tax department extended its raid to include Baldev Sahu Infra Pvt Ltd, a company allegedly linked to Mr. Sahu’s family. Suspicions surround the massive cash cache as potentially unaccounted income from the sale of country liquor.

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In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a counter-offensive, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah exposing accusations of agency misuse as opposition “propaganda.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the return of “looted money,” emphasizing accountability.

While the Congress distanced itself from Sahu, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned the absence of searches against BJP leaders. The developments underscore a high-stakes political confrontation amid allegations of corruption and misuse of investigative agencies.