Kannauj: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday (December 31) called I-T raids on SP’s Pushparaj Jain, a politically motivated move and said that the party was aware that it will be targeted ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
The former UP chief minister also said that the BJP is frustrated because the person they wanted to catch (Piyush Jian) turned out to be their own man. He was referring to the allegations that the Shikar Pan Masala shipment that led to Piyush Jain’s arrest has a connection with PM Modi.
Yadav made the statements while addressing the media over the raids being conducted in more than 50 locations on Pushparaj Jian aka Pampi, a perfume trader who prepared Samajwadi perfume launched by Akhilesh Yadav on November 9.
The IT Department is probing the Kannauj-based businessman over tax evasion and defrauding the books.
Pushparaj Jain is the same person who was mistaken by many to be the perfume trader, Piyush Jain, who was arrested in a tax evasion case earlier this week.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday (December 31) alleged foul play by the Bharatiya Janata Party government over IT raids on perfume trader and party MLC Pushpraj Jain, adding that the raids were deliberately conducted before Akhilesh Yadav’s conference in Kannauj.
“As soon as respected National President Akhilesh Yadav announced the press conference in Kannauj, the BJP government started searches at the place of SP MLC Pampi Jain. BJP`s fear and anger is clear. People are ready to teach a lesson to BJP!,” the Samajwadi Party said in a statement.
However, Yadav will address the press conference on the Piyush Jain vs Pushpraj Jain issue later in the day in Kannauj.
Pushpraj Jain, SP MLC who prepared the Samajwadi Party perfume that was launched by party chief Akhilesh Yadav recently, made the headlines after Kanpur-based perfume trader, Piyush Jain was arrested in a tax evasion case.
Jain was later mistaken by some as Samajwadi Party MLC Pushpraj Jain aka Pampi Jain and many people believed him to be the Kanpur trader, accused of tax evasion.
Coincidentally, the SP MLC also dwells in Kannauj, near Piyush Jain’s residence and the distance between their houses is a mere 500 meters.
Earlier, Pushpraj Jain in an interview with Zee News denied any link with Piyush Jain. He said his name was dragged into the mud because of the upcoming polls.
Meanwhile, the DGGI which had allegedly seized Rs 194.45 crores of cash, 23 kg gold and 600 kg sandalwood from businessman Piyush Jain’s possession, on Monday informed that the accused has admitted that cash recovered was related to the sale of goods without payment of taxes.
The Income Tax department on Friday (December 31) conducted raids at the Kannauj residence of businessman Pushparaj Jain, the maker of Samajwadi perfume that was launched by Akhilesh Yadav recently. Jain is being investigated for tax evasion and books fraud.
The Income Tax officials said that the searches are being conducted in Kanpur, Kannauj, the national capital region and a few other places. The department is searching multiple locations of some entities linked to the perfume trade and related businesses, the sources said.
After Kanpur-based perfume trader, Piyush Jain was arrested, he was mistaken by some as Samajwadi Party MLC Pushpraj Jain aka Pampi Jain, who prepared the Samajwadi Attar (perfume) ahead of the upcoming 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.
Till now, many people believed him to be the Kanpur trader, accused of tax evasion. However, the accused is not SP MLC Pushpraj Jain. Coincidentally, the SP MLC also dwells in Kannauj, near Piyush Jain’s residence and the distance between their houses is a mere 500 meters.
The Income Tax and GST Intelligence team found Rs 177 crore cash from a house in Kanpur on December 23. It was later found that this house belongs to Piyush Jain, a perfume trader from Kannauj.
Talking to Zee News, Pushpraj Jain had earlier denied any link with Piyush Jain. He said his name was dragged into the mud because of the upcoming polls.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party has alleged foul play by the ruling BJP government in raids on Pushparaj Jain’s residence.
Later in the day, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav will address the media on the P Jain vs P Jain issue.
