Lagatar24 Desk
Lucknow, Dec.18: The income tax department came knocking at the door of Rajeev Rai, the head of the Samajwadi Party and a close associate of Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday, as a team conducted searches at his residence.
Several raids were carried out in various parts of Uttar Pradesh, according to department sources. Apart from Rajiv Rai’s home in Mau, RCL Group promoter Manoj Yadav’s home in Mainpuri was also searched.
Rajeev Rai, in response to the raid, told ANI that the government will build a case out of anything.
“I have no criminal background or black money. I help people and the government did not like it. This is a result of that. If you do anything, then they will make a video, register an FIR and you will fight a case unnecessarily,” the SP leader said.
According to reports, Akhilesh’s assistant Manoj Yadav has also been charged with tax evasion. Around 7 a.m., the simultaneous searches began.
The raids occur as the state prepares for elections, and Samajwadi Party head Akhilesh Yadav has been criticising the BJP over a number of its projects.
