In a groundbreaking revelation, Dhiraj Sahu has finally broken his silence regarding the staggering 350 Crore Cash Haul. The mysterious circumstances surrounding this significant cash discovery have kept the public in suspense. Now, Sahu’s decision to speak out provides a pivotal moment, offering insights and potentially unraveling the enigma behind this colossal sum. This exclusive disclosure promises to shed light on a financial mystery that has captured widespread attention and speculation.
Massive Cash Seizure in Raids Linked to Dhiraj Sahu
In a singular operation marking the nation’s largest cash seizure, authorities unearthed over ₹350 crore from locations associated with Boudh Distillery Private Limited in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. All these sites are intricately linked to Dhiraj Sahu’s liquor enterprise and the residence of the Member of Parliament. This substantial discovery underscores the magnitude of the cash haul and its direct connection to both Sahu’s liquor business and the MP’s residence.
Days following the income tax department’s raids on liquor firms in Odisha associated with Jharkhand Congress MP, resulting in the seizure of over Rs. 350 crore in various towns of Odisha and Jharkhand, Dheeraj Sahu declared on Friday that the money recovered by the I-T officials “does not belong to the party” but rather constitutes his family’s wealth.
Sahu clarified that the funds were not intended for political considerations. He asserted that the money does not solely belong to him but is the collective wealth of the entire family and firms within their group. The purpose behind these funds was stated as addressing outstanding payments within the business.
Dhiraj Sahu Denies Political Connection
In a single, unprecedented operation, authorities recovered ₹353 crore from the locations of Boudh Distillery Private Limited in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. These sites are intricately connected to Dhiraj Sahu’s liquor enterprise and the residence of the Member of Parliament.
Authorities estimate that an IT cash seizure in Odisha is likely to be over ₹ 350 crore. The cash was seized by the Income Tax department from distillery units in #Odisha.@satyabarikhttps://t.co/RTJ6loTyat
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) December 11, 2023
Commencing on December 6, the Income Tax raids concluded in the early hours of Friday. Dhiraj Sahu, with an active political career spanning 30-35 years, clarified that the seized money was not designated for the Congress or any other political parties. Instead, he asserted that it constituted proceeds from the sale of liquor.
He stated, “I have been in active politics for the last 30-35 years. The money that was seized was not meant for the Congress or other political parties, but proceeds of the sale of liquor.”
Sahu Clarifies Liquor Funds Reserved for Mahua Flowers and Government Dues
Explaining the predominant cash nature of the liquor business, Sahu clarified that the funds were reserved for Mahua flowers payments and government dues. He emphasized that the money is not solely his but is the collective possession of the entire family and group firms. Asserting transparency in their business operations, he highlighted a century-long history of contributing substantial revenue to the government, affirming his commitment to providing a detailed account to the income tax authorities.
“The money is not all mine but belongs to the entire family and firms of our group. All our business is transparent. In the last 100 years, we have given a lot of revenue to the government. I will give account for everything to income tax,” Sahu added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly criticized the Congress, accusing them of looting the people’s money. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the social media platform X, stating, “Countrymen should look at these piles of currency notes and then hear the addresses of its (Congress) leaders on honesty. Every penny looted from people will have to be returned. This is Modi’s guarantee.”
In India, who needs 'Money Heist' fiction, when you have the Congress Party, whose heists are legendary for 70 years and counting! https://t.co/J70MCA5lcG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2023
Leaders React to PM’s Taunt and Cash Seizure Controversy
Responding to the Prime Minister’s taunt, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called for the PM to elucidate the “biggest money heist since 1947.” Expressing bewilderment, Union Home Minister Amit Shah remarked on the understandable silence from the Congress but found it surprising that alliance partners of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, such as Janata Dal-United, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Samajwadi Party, remained silent on the matter.
“I understand the Congress because this is in their nature, but the Janata Dal-United, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Samajwadi Party are all quiet too,” he noted.
Expressing astonishment, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned Sahu’s purported lack of awareness regarding the Rs 300 crore cash found in his house. He labeled the recovery as the “biggest raid in India’s history”
#WATCH | Patna: BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "How he (Dheeraj Sahu) could not be aware of the Rs 300 crore cash which was there in his house… This is the biggest raid in India's history. This is the situation of the people of Congress party, that talks about the issue… pic.twitter.com/vmfCc3woDD
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2023
Entitled “CONGRESS PRESENTS MONEY HEIST,” the BJP circulated a one-minute clip showcasing the money recovered by I-T department officials during the Odisha cash haul associated with Congress leader Dhiraj Sahu. The video depicted Rahul Gandhi, dressed as a character from the Netflix drama, expressing immense excitement upon observing the stack of currency notes.
During the first day of the winter session on Friday, BJP legislators in Jharkhand staged a protest outside the state assembly, urging action against Sahu. The Opposition legislators, carrying placards and chanting slogans, pressed for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the cash seizure and called for the arrest of Sahu.
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