Documents seized from Dalmiya's house

Along with the simultaneous raids carried out in many cities around the country on Thursday, income tax officials raided various places owned by the former ICC President Jagmohan Dalmiya who is also the currently president of the Cricket Association of Bengal. The raids started at around 11 in the morning and were simultaneously conducted at five places that belonged to Dalmiya. The places included his residence at Alipore Road, the two offices at Theatre Rood and Bhawanipore, his office at the CAB and the leather complex that has been coming up on the outskirts of the city. The raids were supervised by the Chief Investigating Officer of the Income Tax Directorate in Calcutta AK Dasgupta.

During the raids, documents were seized, lockers broken and sealed and even at the time of writing this report, the raids were continuing at the various offices of Dalmiya. However, the Income Tax officers have refused to disclose what they have discovered during the raids. Sources stated that the Directorate has been asked to avoid the media at any cost. They have been instructed just to forward their findings to Delhi for discussions amongst the superiors.

The raids took most of the close associates of Dalmiya by surprise. However, their theory is that the raids are a part of the strategy of the anti-Dalmiya camp in Calcutta to divert his attention before the Annual General Body meeting of the CAB on July 28. Various office bearers of the CAB will be elected on that day. The opposition camp is of the view that if Dalmiya is busy with his personal problems, he will not be able to concentrate on getting his panel of candidates through.

Dalmiya was expected back in Calcutta on Thursday night from Delhi. He may talk to the media in a day or two. As far as the raids in Calcutta are concerned, officially the Income Tax officers have been stating that nothing substantial has been found. However, it is also alleged that the raids would not have continued for such a long period unless something had been discovered.