Bhubaneswar, Dec 11: The Income-Tax department's ongoing raid on properties associated with a liquor firm, its proprietors, and affiliated businesses in Odisha's Balangir extended into its sixth day on Monday. In the latest development, officials conducted searches at the premises of Baldev Sahu Infra Pvt Ltd in Sudpada, Bolangir.

Simultaneously, the income-tax department's extensive searches targeting an Odisha-based distillery company, linked to a Congress Rajya Sabha MP's family, revealed a record-breaking cash seizure of Rs 351 crore after five days of meticulous counting. This massive haul is deemed the "highest-ever" in a single action by any investigative agency in the country, as per official sources on Sunday.

The investigation has also encompassed the residences of Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu in Ranchi and other locations. The relentless raids against Boudh Distillery Private Limited, its promoters, and related entities entered the sixth consecutive day on Monday, commencing on December 6. The primary focus of these raids is on allegations of tax evasion and "off-the-book" transactions.

Sources confirm the completion of the cash counting process, involving nine teams comprising approximately 80 individuals from the tax department and various banks working in shifts around the clock. An additional team of 200 officials, including security personnel, drivers, and support staff, was deployed after the discovery of 10 almirahs filled with cash, along with other locations.

The transportation of the massive cash haul, stored in 200 bags and trunks, was facilitated for depositing in various bank branches across Odisha, according to official sources.

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