Congress MP responds to Rs 350 crore seizure, denies personal association with recovered cash
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After a ten-day silence following the record Rs 350 crore cash seizure from premises connected to him, Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu addressed the matter on Friday, asserting that the recovered money does not belong to him personally but rather to the companies involved in the raids.
He clarified that the funds have no ties to Congress or any other political party.
Income Tax searches were conducted against Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd, and affiliated entities belonging to Sahu's family, starting on December 6 and concluding recently. These searches, carried out across Odisha and Jharkhand, resulted in the seizure of Rs 353.5 crore in cash, marking the largest single seizure by any investigative agency in India.
The BJP utilised the significant recovery, extended search duration, and footage showing chests brimming with cash to criticise the Congress, accusing it of corruption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also referred to the case, making a subtle allusion to the popular TV series 'Money Heist'.
In his conversation with news agency ANI, Sahu, a Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, revealed that this was the first time such an allegation had been leveled against him in his 35-year political career. He expressed dismay and clarified, "I am confident that the recovered money belongs to my company. Our family has been engaged in the liquor business for over a century. While I am active in politics, the business operations have been handled by my family members."
He highlighted the involvement of his extended family, stating that six brothers, including himself, are actively engaged in the business. He noted that their children also contribute to various facets of the companies.
"The recovered money is linked to our liquor-related firms. Our business operations are transparent. The cash is derived from alcohol sales, which typically occur in cash transactions. This money is solely from sales collections and holds no connection to Congress or any other political entity. It belongs to my companies," Sahu asserted.
He clarified that some firms are owned by relatives, emphasising that no funds were seized from the premises of Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd, where a portion of the liquor is manufactured. Sahu reiterated, "This money isn't mine; it belongs to my family and the associated companies. If required, my family members will provide explanations to the Income Tax department, and we are ready to extend full cooperation to the authorities."
