I-T dept raids premises linked to Chhattisgarh govt officials, others

The Income Tax department on Thursday raided at least 25 premises linked to Chhattisgarh government officials and others on charges of tax evasion, officials said.

Those covered under the action include family members of a senior IAS officer in the state.

About 25 premises are being raided as part of the action, they said.

Sources said the premises linked to A K Tuteja, joint secretary in the state commerce and industry department, retired IAS officer and former chief secretary of the state VivekDhand and Raipur MayorEzaj Dhebar are being searched.

Dhand is also the Chairman of Chhattisgarh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).

Some locations linked to liquor barons AnwarDhebar (Mayor Ezaj Dhebar's brother) and Pappu Bhatia are also being searched, they said.

Senior Congress MLA and party's state chief Mohan Markam said he came to know about the I-T raids at various locations, including his party mayor's premises and other officials, in Raipur through media.

It is the survey of the I-T and details of it are being taken, he told reporters in the state assembly premises.

State government authorities did not offer any comment.

Officials said the I-T teams are assisted by the CRPF, a central paramilitary force, to conduct the raids in Raipur and a few other locations, the officials added.