IT raid on distillery: BJP alleges nexus of BJD leaders with liquor traders, demands CBI probe

Bhubaneswar: Amid seizure of over Rs 200 crore during raids by the Income Tax department on an Odisha-based distillery, the BJP today targeted the ruling BJD alleging that several leaders of the party have nexus with the accused liquor traders.

The saffron party has also demanded a CBI investigation into the matter.

“The BJD had kept crores of rupees with the company for election-related expenses. Ministers and leaders of the BJD from Boudh, Sonepur, Titilagarh, Rayagada and Bargarh have links with the accused,” said BJP spokesperson Manoj Mahapatra.

The BJP also targeted Minister and Titilagarh MLA Tukuni Sahu showing a photo of the accused liquor trader with her.

“The BJD indulges in distribution of cash and liquor during elections. If the Chief Minister and BJD supremo believes in transparency, how is this matter not anti-public?” he asked.

Mahapatra also questioned as to how a liquor trader having annual turnover of Rs 120 crore kept Rs 500 crore with him.

Refuting the allegations, BJD MLA Satyanarayan Pradhan said they are baseless. “No one from our party has involvement with the accused. The Opposition parties often criticize us. Let them do it,” he said.

Notably, the Income Tax department has so far recovered more than Rs 200 crore in cash during raids at various places linked to Boudh Distillery Private Limited.

The raids were reportedly conducted in Sambalpur, Balangir, Titilagarh, Boudh, Sundargarh, Rourkela and Bhubaneswar on charges of tax evasion by the company.