Income Tax Department Conducts Raids in Jharkhand, Targets Premises Linked to CM Hemant Soren’s Advisor
Ranchi In a significant move ahead of the upcoming state elections, the Income Tax Department conducted raids at multiple locations in Jharkhand on Saturday, including properties linked to an individual closely associated with Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The searches are part of a broader investigation into alleged tax evasion, according to official sources.
The raids began early in the morning, with a total of nine premises in the state capital, Ranchi, and Jamshedpur being targeted. The premises include those linked to Sunil Shrivastava, an advisor to Chief Minister Soren, the sources confirmed. The operation is being supported by a security team from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which is assisting the I-T teams during the course of the searches.
The income tax action comes in the wake of ongoing investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which are probing alleged illegal liquor trade and mining activities in Jharkhand. These investigations have drawn attention due to the involvement of several high-profile figures in the state’s political and business circles.
The timing of the raids is notable, as Jharkhand is scheduled to vote in two phases on November 13 and November 20. The raids have raised concerns about potential political ramifications in the run-up to the elections, with some viewing the actions as part of a broader crackdown on corruption and illegal activities in the state.
While the Income Tax Department has not yet disclosed the specific details of the probe, the investigation into Sunil Shrivastava’s connections and the broader cases being examined by the ED and CBI are likely to continue to draw attention in the coming days, particularly as the election nears.
As the political atmosphere in Jharkhand heats up ahead of the elections, these developments are likely to add further complexity to an already charged political environment.
