SIB Raids Trigger Panic Among Traders in Tilhar; Major Action at Prominent Iron Businessmen’s Premises
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Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh: A major raid by the Special Investigation Bureau (SIB) in Tilhar town of Shahjahanpur district has caused a stir among local traders. During the operation, the SIB reportedly uncovered five warehouses allegedly being operated secretly by prominent iron traders, the Bansal brothers.
According to reports, eight teams from the division were deployed for the operation.
During its investigation over approximately 48 hours, the eight SIB teams seized a truck carrying iron goods while the consignment was being unloaded at a warehouse. The truck was subsequently impounded and handed over to the custody of the Shahjahanpur Police for further action. The investigation continued thereafter.
Raid Conducted Under the Leadership of Deputy Commissioner Aniruddh Singh
It was reported that on Friday morning, eight departmental teams led by SIB Deputy Commissioner Aniruddh Singh reached a warehouse located near Agarwal Dharamkanta on the highway in Tilhar. The action was initiated following information that a truck loaded with iron goods was being unloaded at the premises of prominent local iron traders, Vivek Agarwal and Vaibhav Agarwal, associated with the Agarwal business establishments.
The SIB team took possession of the truck inside the warehouse. During the same operation, SIB officials also arrived at shops situated opposite the municipal office. However, upon finding the shops closed, the officials began monitoring the premises.
As news of the SIB operation spread, the businessmen reportedly left the scene and did not appear immediately. In their absence, all eight departmental teams, accompanied by police personnel, remained stationed at their establishments to maintain surveillance.
By Saturday morning, the businessmen had still not appeared. According to reports, following instructions from the headquarters, the investigating officers were preparing to take further action, including opening the locked premises. However, before the locks could be broken, the Agarwal brothers appeared and began cooperating with the investigation.
Truck Carrying Goods Without Bills Seized
Speaking to local media late Friday evening, SIB Deputy Commissioner Aniruddh Singh stated that the investigation was still underway and that it was not possible to specify how much longer it would take.
He explained that the team had reached the location after receiving information that goods were being unloaded from a truck without the requisite bills. The truck, along with the suspected goods, was taken into custody. The vehicle was subsequently impounded and handed over to the Shahjahanpur Police for safekeeping and further proceedings.
It was also reported that a team led by Assistant Commissioner Aniruddh Singh from the Bareilly SIB unit, accompanied by police personnel, reached Agarwal Dharamkanta on the highway on Friday morning. The location is associated with Vaibhav Agarwal, a resident of Mohalla Maujampur.
The team took possession of a truck unloading iron goods at a nearby warehouse and also seized certain documents from the weighing facility. Surveillance was subsequently established at both the weighbridge and the warehouse.
Search Warrants Issued to the Firm Owners
The major SIB operation created considerable anxiety among other traders in the town. Shops dealing in the related trade reportedly lowered their shutters, while other business owners also appeared concerned.
At around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, SIB Deputy Commissioner Aniruddh Singh informed local media that search warrants had been issued to the proprietors of M/s Vivek Agarwal and Vaibhav Agarwal, and that both had received the warrants.
He further stated that Vivek Agarwal had reportedly informed the authorities that he was in Delhi because of his wife’s illness. He was given time to arrive by Saturday morning.
The Deputy Commissioner added that officers from the various teams would remain on surveillance duty throughout the night along with police personnel, and that further action would be taken on Saturday in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
Several Departmental Officers Involved
The raid team reportedly included SIB Assistant Rahul Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Munni Devi, State Tax Officer Tara Chand, Mobile Squad Officers Pankaj Kumar and Harish Tripathi, and State Tax Officer Gokul Chand from Shahjahanpur.
Despite the extensive operation and the seizure of the truck, the matter had not been fully resolved, and the investigation was still ongoing.
The authorities were continuing their inquiry into the suspected movement of goods without bills and other relevant documents. Further details were expected to emerge as the investigation progressed.
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