UditVani, Jamshedpur: The Income Tax Department on Thursday launched a large-scale search operation at more than 15 locations linked to the Baba Rice Mill Group in Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and Jamshedpur, following credible inputs pointing to alleged tax evasion, suspicious financial dealings, and accumulation of assets disproportionate to declared income.
In Ranchi, teams conducted searches at the group’s rice and flour mill plant situated in the Bandheya area under the Piska Nagri police station limits.
Officials thoroughly examined machinery, stock registers, bill books, computer systems, and digital data. Simultaneously, a separate team carried out inspections at another Baba Rice facility located in the Bandh Toli area of Nagri.
Tight security arrangements were enforced at all premises, with movement strictly regulated during the operation.
In Jamshedpur, the Investigation Wing of the department carried out searches at a residential property on Circuit House Road No. 3 under the Bistupur police station area.
The bungalow, identified as 33 C, is reportedly associated with businessman Manoj Choudhary, where financial documents, account details, and other crucial records were scrutinised.
Similar actions were undertaken in Hazaribagh, where multiple teams searched locations connected to the group and examined relevant documents.
Adequate police deployment was ensured at all sites to maintain law and order.
Sources said the department is closely analysing bank transactions, investments, accounts, and other business-related financial records of the group.
The operation, kept entirely confidential and not disclosed even to local police in advance, is likely to continue till late evening.
The sudden crackdown has sent ripples through the state’s business community.
