Top 10 Biggest Income Tax Raids in India

Dhiraj Sahu I-T raid

In a significant crackdown, the Income Tax Department conducted extensive raids on Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu's properties across Jharkhand and Odisha. The operation, which began on December 6, 2023, led to the staggering discovery of over ₹351 crore in cash and nearly 3 kg of gold ornaments.

This operation is now recognized as the largest cash seizure in a single action by any investigative agency in India. The raids primarily targeted a distillery in Odisha linked to Sahu, where authorities recovered substantial amounts of cash from multiple factory locations.

One of India's Biggest Income Tax Raids on Sardar Inder Singh

On July 16, 1981, India witnessed one of its most significant income tax raids, targeting the residence of Sardar Inder Singh, a prominent businessman and former Rajya Sabha MP. Over 90 income tax officers, supported by 200 policemen, descended upon Singh’s properties in Kanpur, marking the beginning of a massive operation that unfolded over three nights and two days.

This extensive raid revealed substantial hidden wealth, captivating the public's attention and raising questions about the prevalence of undisclosed assets among influential figures. The dramatic events of this operation later inspired the 2018 Hindi film “Raid,” featuring Ajay Devgn, bringing this historical moment back into the limelight.

Massive Tax Evasion Uncovered in Piyush Jain Kanpur Raid

In a remarkable operation, authorities have executed a high-profile raid at the residence of Piyush Jain, a well-known perfume trader in Kanpur, uncovering over ₹250 crore in cash along with a significant cache of documents tied to multiple properties. Following this extensive investigation, Jain has been arrested on charges of tax evasion under the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act.

This extensive raid lasted over 120 hours and revealed documents pertaining to 16 properties, including several located in Dubai, raising questions about the extent of unaccounted wealth. The ramifications of this operation are likely to resonate throughout the business community, highlighting the ongoing efforts of authorities to combat tax evasion.

Sahara Group Raids Uncovering ₹135 Crore in Cash and Legal Battles

In a significant turn of events, the Income Tax Department conducted extensive raids at the Sahara Group's offices in Delhi and Noida, revealing an astonishing ₹135 crore in cash and jewelry valued at ₹1 crore. These operations were initiated as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged tax evasion, prompted by intelligence reports indicating the existence of unaccounted wealth at these locations.

The raids have led to a protracted legal battle, culminating in the arrest of Subrata Roy, the Sahara Group’s chief. Following his release on bail, Roy has agreed to a settlement to repay investors, further intensifying scrutiny on corporate financial dealings within the organization.

Seizure of New Notes in Bengaluru

In a high-profile operation in 2016, the Income Tax Department conducted raids in Bengaluru, targeting the residences of two engineers and two contractors. The raids uncovered a staggering total of ₹5.7 crores in cash, including ₹4.8 crores in newly issued currency notes and ₹90 lakh in demonetized notes.

The operation also yielded an impressive haul of 7 kilograms of gold and 9 kilograms of jewelry, valued at approximately ₹5 crores. Among the high-end assets seized were a Porsche limousine and a Lamborghini, found at the residence of SC Jayachandra, an engineer with the Public Works Department.

CBI Raid at Hyderabad Post Offices

The CBI conducted surprise inspections at eight post offices in Hyderabad in 2016 following the demonetization drive. These inspections were prompted by allegations of irregularities in the acceptance of old currency notes.

During the inspections, officials seized Rs. 40 lakh in cash from the Himayat Nagar Post Office. Subsequently, the CBI initiated an investigation into the involvement of post office personnel in the illegal exchange of old currency notes based on complaints received.

Bahubali's Producer Under IT Scanner

The 2015 blockbuster "Baahubali: The Beginning" was a massive financial success. The extraordinary earnings of the film's producers attracted the attention of the Income Tax Department.

IT officials conducted raids on the residences of Shobhu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni, the producers of "Baahubali," in Hyderabad. During the raids, they discovered Rs. 60 crore in cash stored in demonetized notes.

Income Tax Officers Chase Down Big Fat Reddy Wedding

The extravagant wedding of Janardhan Reddy's daughter was closely monitored by tax officials. They visited Reddy's office in Bellary, presenting him with a notice and a questionnaire requesting details of the wedding expenses.

Several prominent politicians, including the JP state president and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, attended the lavish event. The News Minute published a copy of the IT department's notice and questionnaire.

IT Department Raids Private Engineering College in Chennai

In a 2019 tax raid in Chennai, authorities uncovered Rs. 8 crore in undisclosed cash within the bank accounts of staff at a private engineering college. This substantial sum was spread across 400 bank accounts belonging to college employees. It is alleged that private colleges in Tamil Nadu often receive large amounts of unreported cash from students seeking admission.

Tax Raid at NGO With Links to Pakistani Artist

The IT department and the Delhi Police crime branch conducted a raid on the premises of the non-profit organization "Routes to Roots," in Hauz Khas. The associates of the renowned Pakistani singer, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan manage this NGO.

The raid was initiated following the receipt of sting operation CDs from the Information and Broadcast Ministry. These CDs, broadcast by TV channels, exposed the use of black money to facilitate deals with Pakistani artists and actors, including Fawad Khan and model Mawra Hocane.