New Delhi/Chandigarh: The I-T Department on Wednesday raided multiple premises of a hospital group in Haryana’s Rewari, related to family of Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav, recovering about Rs 22 lakh cash, after it was detected that the owners allegedly made cash payments to a Nirav Modi firm for purchasing jewellery, officials said.

Yogendra Yadav, however, alleged that the raid was conducted at his sisters’ hospital-cum-nursing home premises with an intent to “intimidate” and “silence” him as he had launched an agitation for fair crop price for farmers and against liquor shops in that city in Haryana.

About 100+ force from Delhi raided hospitals at 11 am today. All doctors (my sisters, brother in law, nephew) detained in their chambers. Hospital sealed, including ICU for newly born babies. A clear attempt to intimidate. Modiji you can’t silence me,” Yadav said.

Officials said the tax department carried out the action acting on inputs received from a dossier of information from the group of diamond merchant Nirav Modi, absconding from probe in the $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. It was found that Gautam Yadav allegedly paid Rs 3.25 lakh in cash, out of the total Rs 6.50 lakh, for purchase of jewellery from the diamantaire’s firm.

Yadav had led a padyatra, which by his own admission, crossed through 127 villages of Rewari in nine days. He claimed to have walked 250 kilometres during the event.

Yogendra Yadav also announced a movement to make sure that every farmer is given full MSP for millets and cotton. He also demanded that liquor shops in every village be closed.

According to Yadav, the raids have been conducted just two days ahead of a crucial meeting of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) in New Delhi. Rewari SP Rajesh Duggal told The Indian Express that the IT officials did not seek help from the local police.

Yadav was one among the founder leaders of Aam Aadmi Party but had launched Swaraj Abhiyan in 2015 after AAP expelled him. In October 2016, he had formed a political outfit Swaraj India.