Jharkhand Election 2024: Just days before the first phase of polling in Jharkhand on November 13, the Income Tax (I-T) Department has ramped up its investigative efforts. A series of raids were conducted at the residence of Sunil Srivastava, personal secretary to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, along with several close associates linked to the CM.
In recent weeks, the I-T Department had already initiated action at two locations in Ranchi. However, the scope of this operation expanded significantly, with searches conducted at 11 sites associated with Srivastava. The raids took place across multiple locations in Jharkhand, including seven in Ranchi and four in Jamshedpur. Notably, the operation also involved other business premises, such as Anjania Steel in Jamshedpur, although full details of these raids are still forthcoming.
The impetus for these investigations appears to stem from intelligence regarding potential financial irregularities related to the upcoming elections. Sources suggest that the I-T Department received information indicating that large sums of money were being transferred through hawala channels to influence the assembly polls. In response, the department had earlier launched an extensive operation on October 26, covering 35 locations in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Giridih, and Kolkata.
During these raids, authorities uncovered documentation related to suspected benami (proxy-owned) properties and investments estimated at an astonishing Rs 150 crore. Additionally, a detailed examination of seized records and accounting led to the recovery of Rs 70 lakh deposited in a bank account, which was allegedly unaccounted for by the involved parties.
On November 5, a separate investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) targeted Pankaj Mishra, another close associate of CM Hemant Soren. Mishra is reportedly implicated in an illegal mining scam valued at Rs 1200 crore. The CBI’s operation spanned 16 locations linked to him and resulted in the seizure of cash, gold, silver, and live ammunition. Specifically, authorities recovered Rs 60 lakh in cash, one kilogram of gold, one and a quarter kilograms of silver, and 61 live cartridges.
This investigation into illegal mining follows a court order that prompted the CBI to file a case in November 2023. These actions reflect a broader effort by investigative agencies to address illegal financial practices that could impact the electoral process in Jharkhand.
On October 14, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also conducted raids at the residence of Vinay Thakur, brother of cabinet minister Mithlesh Thakur in the Hemant government. The ED’s actions targeted Thakur, his private secretary Harendra Singh, and several engineers of the department in connection with an alleged scam involving the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Reacting to the I-T searches, the state Congress said this is not new for Jharkhand. Congress leader Rakesh Sinha claimed, “This is nothing new for Jharkhand. I-T raids are often carried out on the premises of opposition leaders and their staffers in the state. The BJP is trying to establish its footing through I-T and ED raids ahead of the elections. With such actions, they are just attempting to create pressure on opposition leaders.”
BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said, “I do not know why the ruling parties in the state link the searches with the elections. They should wait till the official version of the I-T department comes out.”
