In a historic operation, the Income Tax Department conducted its largest-ever cash seizure last December, recovering a staggering Rs 352 crore from an Odisha-based distillery group. This significant operation, led by Principal Director of Income Tax Investigation SK Jha and Additional Director Gurpreet Singh, earned national recognition and accolades from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on August 21, 2024.
The raid, which took place in December 2023, was meticulously planned and executed over 10 days. Acting on actionable intelligence, the Income Tax team targeted multiple premises linked to the distillery group. The operation, the largest of its kind in India's history, was marked by the use of advanced technology, including a specialised scanning machine to locate valuables hidden underground.
The department deployed 36 note-counting machines and collaborated with various banks to manage the overwhelming cash recovery, totaling Rs 351.8 crore. This unprecedented haul has set a new benchmark in the country's fight against tax evasion.
On August 21, 2024, during the 165th-anniversary celebrations of the Income Tax Department in Bhubaneswar, the team was awarded the 'CBDT Certificate of Excellence.' Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman personally commended their dedication and efficiency, highlighting the importance of such operations in upholding fiscal discipline.
Building on this success, the Income Tax Department is now intensifying its efforts to recover outstanding tax demands. With a renewed focus on high-stakes cases, officials have been tasked with monitoring 5,000 cases involving a staggering Rs 43 lakh crore in tax liabilities.
The Odisha raid marks a milestone in the Income Tax Department's history, showcasing the department's growing capabilities in combating large-scale tax evasion. The recognition of the team’s efforts underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring tax compliance and reinforcing the integrity of the tax system.
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