Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has claimed the searches conducted by Income Tax officials on premises linked to family members of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar are the "biggest" such raids in India.

"The raids are going on for the last seven days. According to me, the searches have reached more than 24 promotors, directors, owners, firms, projects. (IT sleuths) are getting something from the lockers concealed in the walls, from server rooms, basements, and parking lots," he claimed while addressing a press conference. Officials had also searched businesses linked to the sisters of Ajit Pawar and other relatives based on accusations of tax evasion.