The income tax department claimed Sunday to have uncovered nearly Rs 340 crore from multiple factories of an Odisha-based distillery linked to Congress’s Jharkhand MP Dhiraj Sahu in what is being termed as the most substantial cash seizure in a single operation in the coastal state. Over 50 bank employees used 40 machines for five days to count the pile of banknotes seized from factories in Balangir, Titlagarh and Sambalpur. Despite Saturday and Sunday being holidays, the personnel counted the cash, with some machines breaking down during counting. The cash will be deposited in the bank on Monday. The counting took place at SBI branches in Balangir, Titlagarh, and Sambalpur, with the enforcement directorate (ED) anticipated to investigate the money trail once the I-T proceedings conclude. ED is expected to look into potential money laundering aspects, explore possible links to hawala networks, and investigate the hoarding of cash for upcoming elections in Odisha. Congress distanced itself from Sahu amidst the developments, stating that they are not connected with his businesses. The Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team (SIT) on black money is closely monitoring the I-T searches.