IT Raids Today: A massive operation by the Income Tax Department has swept across more than 24 locations in Gujarat, targeting several lesser-known political parties allegedly involved in money laundering under the guise of political donations. The raids, conducted under heavy security, have exposed what officials call a “multi-crore tax evasion and hawala network” operating behind political fronts.
According to reliable sources, the latest IT raids today are part of a wider probe that began months ago when tax authorities first raided donors suspected of laundering unaccounted funds through political channels. This time, the focus has shifted to the recipients — the parties themselves.
Raids Begin Early Morning in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad
At dawn, IT officials accompanied by armed police arrived at multiple premises in Gandhinagar linked to Sanjay Vitthalbhai Gajera, president of the Bhartiya National Janata Dal (BNJD) — a registered but unrecognized political outfit. The raids began simultaneously at his residence in Sector 26 (Kisannagar) and his office in Sector 11 (Megh Malhar Complex).
Sources confirmed that officials were also present at the home of Gajera’s driver in Green City, where important documents and digital evidence were seized. Inside the main residence, teams are reportedly examining property papers, financial records, and electronic data to trace the flow of money allegedly laundered through political channels.
In Ahmedabad, simultaneous searches were carried out at more than a dozen locations associated with small political outfits, business partners, and intermediaries suspected of facilitating black money transactions. Similar operations were also reported in Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Junagadh, indicating a coordinated statewide action.
How the Scam Operated
Preliminary findings suggest that large sums were donated via cheque to these minor political entities, who then returned most of the amount in cash after deducting a commission — effectively converting black money into white under the label of “political donation.”
Officials say this modus operandi could amount to hundreds of crores in tax evasion. An Income Tax spokesperson declined to comment officially but confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
BNJD and the Gajera Network Under Spotlight
The raids have brought intense scrutiny on Bhartiya National Janata Dal (BNJD), whose state head Sanjay Gajera took over the party after the death of his father and founder, Vitthal Gajera, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources claim that Sanjay Gajera, once struggling financially, recently acquired luxury vehicles such as an MG Gloster SUV and a Harley-Davidson bike, raising suspicion of unexplained wealth.
IT teams reportedly recovered crucial evidence from his driver Ronak Singh’s mobile phone, believed to include transaction details and communication logs with donors.
From Oil Business to Political Fronts
Vitthal Gajera, originally from Saurashtra, had shifted to Gandhinagar years ago to run a cooking oil and solvent business. He had previously faced multiple police cases for illegal trade, including one that led to detention under the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities (PASA) Act.
After joining BNJD, the family allegedly expanded its operations under the party’s banner, funneling crores of rupees in donations through hawala routes, with a share allegedly reaching Sanjay Gajera.
957 Crore Declared Income Despite Low Votes
Data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals that BNJD declared ₹957 crore in income between 2019–2024, yet secured only 11,496 votes across eight candidates in the 2022 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
BNJD topped the list of Gujarat’s five richest unrecognized political parties — a statistic now under severe scrutiny following the IT raids today.
| Party | Declared Income (₹ Cr) | Votes Received | Elections Contested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhartiya National Janata Dal | 957 | 11,496 | Lok Sabha 2024, Assembly 2022 |
| New India United Party | 608 | 9,029 | LS + Assembly |
| Satyavadi Rakshak Party | 416 | 1,042 | LS + Assembly |
| Saurashtra Janata Party | 200 | 140 | Assembly 2022 |
| Jan Man Party | 134 | 480 | Assembly 2022 |
Source: ADR and ECI reports (2019–2024)
Widespread Operation Beyond Gujarat
The ongoing probe extends to Bihar, Haryana, and Delhi, where smaller parties allegedly followed the same pattern — accepting crores in donations while securing negligible votes.
Among the top-earning unrecognized parties across India, five are from Gujarat, contributing to 70% of total declared income in this category. These parties together reported a combined income of over ₹2,300 crore between 2019–2024.
Suspected Money Laundering Through “Unregistered” Political Channels
Officials suspect that over ₹10,000 crore was funneled through more than 3,200 small political outfits nationwide between 2022 and 2024. Only 739 of these entities have submitted audit or donation reports, despite being legally required to do so.
In Gujarat alone, 10 such parties reportedly received ₹4,300 crore in political donations from across 23 Indian states, from Kashmir to Tripura.
Audit Reports Reveal Dubious Expenditures
Audit submissions show huge expenditures on media promotions, welfare activities, and rallies — categories often used to mask illicit transfers.
Between 2019–2024, these unknown parties declared over ₹3,500 crore in spending, of which ₹352 crore was directly attributed to “election-related expenses.”
| Expense Category | Amount (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| Party Events, Media, Rallies | 1,951 |
| Public Welfare, Education | 802 |
| Loans & Purchases | 235 |
| Travel, Fuel | 181 |
| Office & Salaries | 163 |
| Entertainment & Decor | 125 |
| Miscellaneous | 10 |
Officials note that these expenses are disproportionate to the actual electoral performance of these entities — most of whom failed to win a single seat.
Top Donors Identified
The IT raids today have also exposed a list of repeat donors whose identities match corporate entities and individuals across multiple states. For instance:
- BNJD’s top donors include Hisima Pharma (Rajasthan) – ₹1.75 crore, Peshwa Acharya (Maharashtra) – ₹75 lakh, Arpan Gupta (Haryana) – ₹40 lakh.
- New India United Party received over ₹3 crore from Invesis Techno (Bengaluru) and multiple high-value contributions from southern states.
- Satyavadi Rakshak Party lists donors from Bharuch, Vadodara, and Morbi contributing crores each.
Investigators believe many donations were made without valid PAN details, with several entries showing “Name Not Available” or “Donation” as the donor’s name — a red flag under India’s tax and electoral laws.
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Political and Legal Impact
The raids have sent shockwaves through Gujarat’s political circles. Election Commission officials are expected to review the financial submissions of over 95 registered but unrecognized parties in the state.
Experts suggest that the case may set a precedent for tightening regulations around political donations, especially for small regional parties that operate outside mainstream political scrutiny.
ECI May Tighten Rules on Political Funding
The Election Commission of India has already delisted 537 parties in 2022 for failing to comply with transparency norms. Following the IT raids today, more deregistrations could be on the horizon if the investigation confirms tax evasion or money laundering.
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Conclusion: A Wake-up Call for Political Funding Transparency
The sweeping IT raids today across Gujarat mark one of the most significant crackdowns on financial irregularities in India’s political landscape.
While the official findings are still under evaluation, early indications point to massive misuse of political donation provisions, turning obscure regional outfits into conduits for laundering black money.
If confirmed, this could lead to major reforms in India’s electoral finance laws — and possibly criminal prosecutions for those found guilty.
For now, all eyes remain on Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, where the Income Tax teams continue their search operations into the night, tracing the money trail that may redefine how political funding is monitored in India.
