IT, GST raids in poll-bound Padampur

Bhubaneswar: High drama unfolded in poll-bound Padampur assembly constituency in Odisha’s Bargarh district after IT and GST raids on Monday.

Income Tax department officials in the presence of armed CRPF jawans carried out raids on three businessmen who are also ruling BJD leaders in Padampur.

The three businessmen whose houses were raided are Md.Sajid of Bahidarpada, Manbhanjan Sahu of Sahu Pada and Gaju Agarwal. Mohammed Sajid was considered a close friend of sitting Padampur MLA Bijaya Ranjan Singh Bariha, whose demise necessitated the by-poll.

 The IT officials with the CRPF jawans carried out the raids at the residences of the three businessmen.

On the other hand, the state GST department conducted raids at some business establishments in Padampur, Paikmal and Jharbandh areas whose owners are BJP leaders in the area.

They alleged that the GST raids are being carried out on their business establishment to counter the IT raids.