IT conduct raids at residences & offices of 2 businessmen in Digboi & Guwahati

OUR BUREAU

DIGBOI/GUWAHATI: The Income Tax (IT) department on Friday carried out simultaneous raids at the residences and offices of two prominent businessmen – both involved in the coal trade in Digboi and Guwahati.

In one of the first-ever raids in the historic oil town of Digboi in Tinsukia district, sleuths of the Income Tax (IT) department swooped down on the residence of an established businessman — Satyanarayan Agarwal — on Friday morning. The raid, which started at 8 am, was continuing till the filling of this report.

In another development during the day, the IT Department also conducted raids at the residence, office and business establishments of Nabin Singhal in Guwahati. Singhal is also involved in coal business.

According to reports, raids were conducted in the four apartments of Singhal in the Silver Oak Apartment, Manik Nagar in Guwahati. The apartments — 709, 809, 804 and 803 – include his residence as well as office. The Income Tax personnel also raided his business establishment at the third floor of Unique Plaza in the Beltola area of the city.

Singhal who is in Delhi is cooperating with the IT officials via his phone, informed sources. The raids were underway till the filing of this report.

Meanwhile, eye witnesses in Digboi said that a team of 20 officials of the IT department had entered Agarwal's house. The vehicles carrying the team were immediately sent back. Details are awaited. Agarwal — one of the prominent persons involved in coal trading — also owns a nursing home in the town. His multi-storeyed building is located close to the SBI Bank. According to reports, he was also allegedly involved in running a coal syndicate in Margherita and its adjoining areas in neighbouring State of Arunachal Pradesh.

Sources said that Agarwal might name other players involved in the coal trade during his interrogation by the IT department.

"Agarwal was also an accused in a case registered at Makum Police Station in connection with illegal coal trade," said an Additional Superintendent of Police who had served in Tinsukia earlier.

Following a series of allegations against the BJP government in Assam for "patronizing illegal coal trading in Margherita under Tinsukia district", Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal had also ordered CBI inquiry earlier to ascertain the veracity of the charges.

Police personnel have been deployed around Agarwal's residence during the raid. His family members were restricted from moving outside the residence.

Normally, the sectors that are prone to the generation of black money (comprising non-tax payers) are the real estate, stone quarrying and stone crushing. Besides some players involved in executing government contracts, managing cooperative banks and some owning petrol depots among others are also under the IT scanner.

These raids before the Assam Assembly election slated in early 2021 may be a way to prevent the flow of unaccounted wealth and assets during the election, feel conscious circles.

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