Income Tax raids are often in the news, but the largest in the country’s history stands out for its scale and complexity. Conducted in Odisha, the operation lasted an unprecedented 10 days, targeting Boudh Distilleries Private Limited, a prominent liquor manufacturing company. Officials seized Rs 352 crore during the raid, marking a milestone in the department’s efforts against tax evasion.
The magnitude of this raid was extraordinary. Specialized equipment, including a scanning wheel, was deployed to detect valuables buried underground. The sheer volume of cash required the use of three dozen counting machines. When these proved insufficient, bank employees were brought in to assist. Ultimately, the cash was loaded onto a truck and transported under heavy security to the Income Tax Department’s custody.
The raid was meticulously executed, covering multiple locations associated with the company. It was led by Principal Director of Income Tax Investigation, SK Jha, and Additional Director Gurpreet Singh. Recognizing their remarkable efforts, the Central Government honored the officials in August this year for their exemplary performance in this landmark operation.