In a high-stakes development ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Income Tax (IT) Department conducted raids at the residence of Sunil Srivastava, who is allegedly a close aide and personal secretary to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. According to sources, multiple IT teams searched nine locations, including premises in Ranchi and Jamshedpur, early Saturday morning.
The raids come just as Jharkhand?s 81-seat Assembly prepares for polls scheduled in two phases on November 13 and November 20, with vote counting set for November 23. This election is a significant contest, with the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) led by Soren, in alliance with Congress, RJD, and left parties, facing a strong challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Sources from the IT Department reported that the searches were conducted as part of a broader investigation into financial irregularities. The timing has drawn public and political attention, with some speculating on the implications for the JMM-Congress alliance in the state.
This isn?t the first time the Soren administration has faced scrutiny. Earlier this year, the Jharkhand High Court granted Chief Minister Soren bail in an alleged land scam case. Arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in January on allegations related to land scams and money laundering, Soren?s legal battles have been closely watched, particularly in light of the upcoming elections.
The IT Department has not yet released a statement detailing findings from the raids. However, the operation has added to the high-stakes environment surrounding the Jharkhand Assembly elections, with both alliances vying for a majority in a state that has seen rapid political shifts in recent years.
