Agusta Raids: All you need to know

In a sensational pre-dawn crackdown by I-T officials, 3 days ahead of India votes in the first phase of 2019 general elections, aides of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath have been raided in Delhi, Bhopal, and Indore. Here's what we know so far about these I.T raids

PRE DAWN CRACKDOWN

Sources have told Republic Media Network that Income Tax Department raids across Delhi and Madhya Pradesh have been on since 3 AM

300 I-T SLEUTHS ON JOB

Sources have also confirmed that 300 I-T officials spread across 4 cities, that is Delhi, Bhopal, Indore, and Goa are on the job, carrying out searches since early morning

READ| Income Tax Officials Conducting Nation-wide Raids, Kamal Nath's Nephew Ratul Puri And Close Aides Under Scanner: Sources

KAMAL NATH AIDES RAIDED

In what could turn out to be a massive embarrassment for Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and top Congress Leader Kamal Nath, at least three of his aides have been raided. In Delhi, RK Miglani, former advisor and close aide of Kamal Nath is facing a crackdown. I-T officials have been at his Green Park residence since 3 in the morning. They've searched vehicles, scanned through some documents and at least 10 I-T officials are currently at his Green Park residence carrying out searches

KAMAL NATH'S NEPHEW RAIDED

Another news that we've gathered so far is that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister's nephew Ratul Puri has also been raided by a team of Income Tax officials. Searches have been on at his Delhi residence since the wee hours of the morning. Sources are suggesting that these raids are on in connection with money laundering angle in the AgustaWestland case. Rahul Puri is the Chairman of Hindustan Power Projects Pvt Ltd.

He was summoned by Enforcement Directorate in connection with AgustaWestland on Thursday. Some reports claim that Ratul Puri was allegedly named by both middlemen Rajeev Saxena and Sushen Mohan Gupta during their interrogation. Hindustan Power, Ratul Puri's company had earlier issued a denial stating 'Ratul Puri issues a categorical denial of having any connection or involvement of any kind in defense, in the AgustaWestland case. He would be fully cooperating with the ED investigation and provide any clarification or information as may be required'

MASSIVE CASH HAUL

News Agency ANI tweeted pictures of a massive cash haul at the residence of one Prateek Joshi during the I.T raids in Bhopal. In the visuals that Republic TV has accessed, there are at least seven suitcases seen stacked with cash bundles. More details are awaited on the identity of Prateek Joshi

KAMAL NATH SILENT

Kamal Nath who was in Hoshangabad meeting farmers earlier today faced questions from reporters on the ongoing raids. The Chief Minister chose to duck and didn't respond to a single question on the raids. Interestingly, Republic TV has also accessed visuals from Chhindwara where the man whose house has been raided - RK Miglani - is seen standing next to the Chief Minister's chopper. Sources say RK Miglani had accompanied Kamal Nath till his constituency Chhindwara

WATCH: Kamal Nath's Nephew Ratul Puri Confronted Over ED's Summons In VVIP Chopper Scam Case, Puri Claims 'no Connection With Defence Or Agusta Westland Deal'

MEN WHO'VE BEEN RAIDED

The names that have emerged so far are that of Ratul Puri, Kamal Nath's nephew and Chairman of Hindustan Power Projects Pvt Ltd. Praveen Kakkar, the Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh faced searches at his Bhopal & Indore residences. Another man who under the scanner of I.T officials is Ashwini Sharma, a Bhopal based businessman who also runs an NGO. The visuals of the massive cash recovery came from the Bhopal residence of one Prateek Joshi. Not much is known about him yet

3 STATES. 4 CITIES. 50 LOCATIONS

300 Income Tax Department officials are carrying out raids across 3 states since 3 am. 50 locations have been raided so far. In Delhi, at least 35 locations have been searched. At around 10 am, News Agency ANI tweeted pictures of raids at the residence and official premises of M.P CM's OSD Praveen Kakkar in Bhopal & Indore