📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / শরদিন্দু ভট্টাচার্য্য
Crime
Enforcement Directorate raids 15 sites linked to Karnataka minister over excise violations
✍️ India Today
🗓 09 Sep 2026, 09:48 PM
👁 19
The Enforcement Directorate carried out simultaneous raids at more than 15 premises associated with a Karnataka cabinet minister, probing alleged excise‑duty irregularities.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has executed coordinated searches at over 15 locations that are reported to be connected with a senior minister of the Karnataka government. The operation, conducted in a single sweep, targeted offices, residences and commercial premises suspected of facilitating violations of excise regulations.
Sources close to the investigation say the raids were prompted by intelligence indicating that the minister’s network may have been involved in evading or manipulating state excise duties on liquor and related products. ED officials seized documents, computers and financial records that could shed light on the alleged misconduct.
The department, which handles cases of money‑laundering and financial crime, has not disclosed the exact nature of the evidence collected, but it confirmed that the probe is ongoing and that further action will be taken based on the findings.
A spokesperson for the minister’s office declined to comment on the specifics of the raids, stating that the allegations are unfounded and that the minister will cooperate with any lawful inquiry.
The latest raids add to a series of high‑profile enforcement actions across India aimed at curbing tax evasion and strengthening compliance in the excise sector.
Sources close to the investigation say the raids were prompted by intelligence indicating that the minister’s network may have been involved in evading or manipulating state excise duties on liquor and related products. ED officials seized documents, computers and financial records that could shed light on the alleged misconduct.
The department, which handles cases of money‑laundering and financial crime, has not disclosed the exact nature of the evidence collected, but it confirmed that the probe is ongoing and that further action will be taken based on the findings.
A spokesperson for the minister’s office declined to comment on the specifics of the raids, stating that the allegations are unfounded and that the minister will cooperate with any lawful inquiry.
The latest raids add to a series of high‑profile enforcement actions across India aimed at curbing tax evasion and strengthening compliance in the excise sector.