IT dept raids Jaipur premises of 2 of Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's aides

Jaipur: Amidst a deepening crisis in Rajasthan, the Income Tax sleuths are reported to have conducted raids at the premises of Dharmendra Rathod and Rajiv Arora. Both are considered close to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

According to initial TV reports, the Rajasthan Police was not informed about the I-T raid.

The development comes just ahead of the Congress Legislature Party meet at CM Ashok Gehlot’s residence in Jaipur. The Congress government is facing a rebellion by deputy CM Sachin Pilot who has claimed the support of at least 30 MLAs. Pilot is camping in Delhi since Sunday along with MLAs loyal to him.

Rajiv Arora is owner of a jewellery firm. The searches have been carried out at over two dozen locations in Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan by over 200 I-T officials.

The department sources told ANI that these searches are being done on a complaint of tax evasion.

Also, transactions outside the country are under the scanner of the Income Tax department.