Udaipur: In a significant crackdown, the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) department has launched extensive raids on business premises linked to senior Congress leader and All India Congress Committee (AICC) member Dinesh Khodaniya. The raids, which began late Thursday, targeted firms in Udaipur’s Dabok area, specifically focusing on the KRE Arihant group, a business entity managed by his son, Aadish Khodaniya.
Khodaniya, a close aide of former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, has termed the action a “political vendetta,” alleging that central agencies are being used to harass opposition leaders.
Key Highlights of the Raid
- Target: Firms linked to Dinesh Khodaniya and his son, Aadish Khodaniya.
- Location: Corporate offices in the Dabok area on the Udaipur–Chittorgarh highway.
- Agency: Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Department.
- Seizures: Several incriminating documents and financial records seized; employees questioned.
- Political Link: Khodaniya is a former Dungarpur Congress District President and a known confidant of Ashok Gehlot.
Details of the CGST Action
According to official sources, a specialized team of CGST officials arrived at the KRE Arihant office on the Udaipur-Chittorgarh highway on Thursday afternoon. The operation continued well into Friday, with officials meticulously scanning tax filings, input tax credit (ITC) records, and financial transaction history.
The investigation reportedly revolves around alleged tax evasion and irregularities in the firm’s business operations, which span real estate and jewelry. Sources suggest that the officials have seized digital data and hard copies of ledgers that could point to discrepancies in GST compliance.
While the CGST department has not yet released an official statement regarding the total amount of evasion detected, insiders claim the scrutiny is part of a larger crackdown on tax leakages in the region’s high-profile business groups.
Political Vendetta? Khodaniya Strikes Back
Dinesh Khodaniya has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to the media, he expressed frustration over what he calls “repeated harassment” by central agencies.
“For the past two years, my family has been targeted. Sometimes it is the ED (Enforcement Directorate), and now it is the GST. Our business dealings are 100% clean and transparent. This is clear political pressure because my son has just started his business. The truth will prevail.” > — Dinesh Khodaniya
A History of Central Agency Scrutiny
This is not the first time Khodaniya has faced the heat from central agencies. His proximity to the power corridors of the previous Congress government has made him a frequent person of interest:
- December 2024: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided his residence and offices in Sagwara, Dungarpur.
- October 2023: Just before the state assembly elections, the ED conducted searches at his premises in connection with the infamous RPSC Paper Leak case. Khodaniya was alleged to have links with Babu Lal Katara, a key accused in the scandal, though Khodaniya has consistently denied these allegations.
Political Ripples in Rajasthan
The raids have triggered a fresh political row in Rajasthan. Congress workers in Udaipur and Dungarpur have condemned the action, labeling it as a misuse of power by the ruling dispensation at the Centre. The timing of the raids is also being questioned by local political observers, as the state government continues to tighten its grip on corruption cases from the previous tenure.
Khodaniya’s influence in the Vagad region (Dungarpur-Banswara) is significant, and these repeated actions are seen by supporters as attempts to weaken the Congress party’s financial and organizational backbone in southern Rajasthan.
What’s Next?
The CGST officials are currently analyzing the seized documents. If substantial evidence of tax evasion is found, the department may issue show-cause notices and demand recovery of taxes along with heavy penalties. Meanwhile, the political blame game is expected to intensify in the coming days.
Stay tuned to 9xmnews.com for more updates on this developing story.