New Delhi: The Income Tax Department conducted massive raids at several locations in Bengaluru and Mysuru, targeting some financiers, who reportedly mobilised cash for funding the candidates in the upcoming Karnataka elections. According to the tax department, it seized Rs 15 crore cash and jewellery worth Rs 5 crore. The raids were conducted in Shanthi Nagar, Cox town, Shivaji Nagar, RMV Extension, Cunningham Road, Sadashiv Nagar, Kumarapark West and Fairfield Layout.
The I-T raids come a few days after the tax department raided the residence of the brother of a Congress candidate for Karnataka elections and found Rs 1 crore cash stashed in a box and hidden on a tree. According to reports, the I-T department raided the residence of Subramania Rai, brother of Karnataka Congress leader Ashok Kumar Rai in Mysuru. Ashok Kumar Rai is the Congress candidate from Puttur constituency for the upcoming state polls.
Ahead of the Karnataka polls, the state police have conducted a string of raids and has seized over Rs 110 crore in cash so far. According to the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, as many as 2,346 FIRs have been filed with regard to the seizures.
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Earlier on April 13, the Bengaluru Police caught two persons with Rs 1 crore unaccounted for cash in an auto in near the City Market area.
In a similar incident, I-T department carried out raids at the office of a real estate developer in Hubballi. The I-T raids came a day after the department conducted raids at two residential premises of former Congress leader Gangadhar Gowda and an educational institution in Belthangady of Dakshina Kannada. The education institution belongs to the son of Gangadhar Gowda, Ranjan Gowda.
It is to be noted that the Karnataka Assembly polls will be held on May 10 and the results will be announced on May 13.