DIBRUGARH: A three-member team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at the home of prominent businessman Rajen Lohia early this morning. The operation took place at Lohia's residence in Kartikpara as early as 6 a.m., marking one of the strong steps taken forward by the enforcement in the investigation.
Rajen Lohia is a well-known figure in the business community, with interests spanning Dibrugarh and other regions of Assam and Northeast. He is notably the owner of the Manohari tea estate, which gained national prominence in 2022 when its handmade tea was sold for a record-breaking Rs 1.5 lakh per kilogram at a private auction. The tea was purchased by RK Tea Sales on behalf of various clients, including the popular Cafe Nilofer based in Hyderabad.
Apart from this tea business, Lohia is also running a liquor agency in Arunachal Pradesh. The ED's raid is a part of the larger investigation pertaining to financial irregularities and possible violation of economic laws.
Days earlier, Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted searches in Guwahati relating to an alleged misappropriation of Rs 7.62 crore pertaining to the Kamakhya Debutter Board, that governs Maa Kamakhya Temple. The probe is initiated with an FIR of the Kamrup CID against officials who have been accused of diverting temple operation funds into their accounts through fraud transactions and shell companies between 2003 and 2019.
During searches at the offices and residences of key officials, the ED seized insurance policies worth Rs 1.82 crore, besides documents related to properties and bank accounts of the accused. The investigation is ongoing, with further updates anticipated.
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