• Source:JND

Odisha Cash Seized: After almost two years, Odisha has once again been in news for the recovery of huge illegal cash. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized an almirah full of liquid cash in crores while conducting searches at over 20 locations in Odisha's Ganjam district on Friday. The massive searches were carried out in connection with the investigation into illegal mining of minor minerals, such as sand and black stone.

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Almirah Full Of Cash Over Rs 2 Crore Seized

Officials said team of Enforcement Directorate, Bhubaneswar Zonal Office recovered an almirah full of liquid cash in crores, high-end, anonymous vehicles, and documents regarding immovable properties, agreements, and mining leases during a search operation under PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act), 2002, against illegal mining in the state. The almirah was filled with cash over Rs 2 crore in value.

According to the probe agency, the searches were being carried out at properties of "mafias" and their business partners.

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"The search operation is still underway. The exact figure of the cash seized and other details will be disclosed after completion of the operation," an official said.

"Gangsters and influential persons, by using their muscle power, forcibly conducted illegal mining of minor minerals by exploiting and terrorising people in various areas of Ganjam," he said.

In December, 2023 Rs 353 Cr Cash Recovered

Earlier in December, 2023, the income-tax department conducted searches in different places linked to an Odisha-based distillery group on charges of tax evasion. The I-T Department officials recovered unaccounted cash to the tune of Rs 353 crore, the “highest-ever” haul in a single action by any probe agency in the country. The income tax department raided the Sudapada unit of the Boudh Distilleries, owned by a Congress MP’s family, in Boudh district where the central agency started its search operations on December 6.

(With agencies inputs)

 


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