ওয়াশিংটন বাংলা রেডিও Washington Bangla Radio USA

Panaji, Feb 01 (IBNS) Sleuths of the Income Tax department from Bangalore swooped down on 18 offices belonging to high-profile builders in the state Tuesday.

Nearly half-a-dozen Karnataka registration vehicles were seen parked outside these offices in the capital city and some places in the South district.

While the raids continued till late last night, the Goa I-T wing when quizzed said they were not in the know about the raids.

“We are not associated with the Bangalore team,” said an officer.

With speculations making buzz the raids could be to curb use of black money during electoral process, sources said that search operations are part of mega projects entailing huge investments and few of them having close proximity with politicians.

The Election Commission had ordered law enforcing agencies and I-T officials to keep strict vigil on the use of black money in the ensuing elections in the five poll-bound states. 

Goa is going to polls on March 3.

(Reporting by John Edwards)