Hyderabad, Oct 7 (NationPress) – On Tuesday, the Income Tax Department executed searches at several sites throughout Andhra Pradesh and Telangana linked to a significant Rs 300 crore dal (pulses) trade investigation.

Officials from the Income Tax Wing conducted operations at the premises of four dal traders across 25 locations in the Telugu region.

The searches spanned Hyderabad, Guntur, Vijayawada, Kurnool, and Visakhapatnam.

During these operations, which are part of the investigation into the dal trade case, the authorities confiscated crucial documents.

The department is probing allegations that certain trading firms engaged in extensive transactions during the tenure of the previous government in Andhra Pradesh. These companies are suspected of conducting cash transactions around the time of the 2024 Assembly elections.

These trading firms were awarded tenders by the Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies Department. The Income Tax Department is verifying whether these companies failed to deliver dal under the Public Distribution System (PDS) after receiving payments.

Previously, searches were executed at the location of Hindustan Traders in Visakhapatnam and the premises of the V Care Group companies in Kurnool.

Last month, the Income Tax department also raided the premises of Caps Gold Company, one of the largest gold traders in the nation, over accusations of extensive black market transactions.

The searches took place at approximately 15 locations in Hyderabad, Warangal, and Vijayawada. IT officials had also examined the company’s headquarters in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

The department is investigating claims that the company acquired gold from the black market and diverted substantial volumes for unaccounted sales.

Caps Gold has been purchasing gold in bulk from the Mineral Development Corporation and supplying it to retail jewelers.

Wholesale companies associated with Caps Gold have also been scrutinized by IT authorities for purported large-scale tax evasion and fraudulent activities.