Bhubaneswar: In an ongoing investigation, the counting of cash seized from the premises of Dheeraj Sahu persisted for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday. The total sum counted thus far has reached a staggering Rs 200 crore, with estimates suggesting the final figure from the raid may surpass Rs 500 crore. The highest individual amount of cash recovered stands at Rs five lakh, including denominations of Rs 100 and Rs 200 notes.
The raids, which also extend to the residence of Jharkhand Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu, have been conducted over four days, with a dedicated team of 40 to 50 individuals tirelessly working to count the amassed wealth. Initially, 40 small and large counting machines were deployed, but due to the overwhelming volume of cash, additional machines have been ordered to expedite the process.
Simultaneously, the Income Tax team carried out searches at the residence of Bunty, the manager of a brewery in Odisha, recovering a substantial Rs 19 lakh in cash. The counting efforts involve a team of 50 people and the utilisation of machines. Some locked rooms and lockers remain unopened, raising the possibility of further revelations. The overall recovery figure from these operations is anticipated to reach an astonishing Rs 500 crore.
A significant portion of the seized amount, exceeding Rs 200 crore, has already been tallied. The investigation has expanded to include searches at the premises of Baldev Sahu Infra Private Limited, a group company affiliated with Baudh Distilleries. Dheeraj Sahu, the Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, finds himself at the centre of the probe.
Specialised machines have been deployed to secure the counted money, and the seized funds are being transported to the SBI Balangir branch in Odisha. The substantial cash, packed into 176 bags, is being sent to the bank in various boxes and bags.
Despite the ongoing investigation, the Congress Party appears to be grappling with the situation. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, asserted that the party is unrelated to Sahu’s business activities and called for an explanation regarding the source of the funds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the issue, expressing his thoughts on the matter via a tweet.
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