Don’t start imagining Ajay Devgan from the movie Raid. Actual raids are different. 
An income tax raid comprises of search and seizure operations. I have been working in the income tax department for many years, I have done quite a few raids and would do a lot more. But the first one always remains special. 
My first raid experience was more of a reality check. I was nervous and yet excited. On the day of the raid, we were asked to report to office sharp at 9am. A team of 20-25 officials from our department went to raid a jeweler. The team was divided into three groups each headed by an Income tax officer who in turn reported to one Additional Commissioner and one Assistant Commissioner.
Absolute secrecy was maintained about the destination until we were few minutes away from the location. This is paramount to prevent any leakage of information. 
As we reached the place, I could see many prying eyes around us as it was quite unusual for such a large group of people entering the said premise. But we were quick and in no time, we were inside.
A group of 7 people, including me and the officer literally marched in. As soon as we revealed our identity, there was pin-drop silence. We could sense the tension in the air. The customers were asked to leave the premise and the shutters were downed.
Everyone inside the premise was stupefied. As soon as they informed the owner, I was asked to seize all their mobile phones and ensure that no one went outside the premise, and none entered. 
While I was treading with confidence, there was a bit of twitchiness inside. I wanted to do my part well and prove myself. Incidentally I was the only female in the group and I could see a look of surprise in many eyes around me. I was definitely brimming with pride. 
Once the owner arrived, the enquiry started and he was asked to give us all the relevant documents of the sales as well as the inventory. In many such cases, as I came to know much later, such enquiries lead to an uncomfortable situation. This was no different. The scenario took an edgy turn when the books of accounts were scrutinised by our proficient inspector, and he found quite a lot of incongruity in them. Guilty. An immediate fall out is search and seizure. 
I was again given the duty to collect all the jewellery. This was one herculean task. Usually one has to look for hidden booty as well. I emptied the shelves in a box and started searching for other places where things could be hidden. Since it was my first search, my colleague helped by prompting a few tips about the usual hiding places to search-between the shelves, behind the shelves, secret lockers, behind wall hangings, etc. I felt a rush of adrenalin when I found some jewellery inside a hidden compartment of a drawer. The owner’s face turned ashen as he had not expected anyone to find the hidden jewellery. 
I was happy. It was some good work and great experience. 
After the search was over the valuer got down with his duty of calculating the value of all the inventory recovered from the premise. By the time he finished it was already late in the evening.
The raid was finally over. My first one had been a good one. A lot of water has flown below the bridge since then, many raids have happened, but the first one always feels like yesterday.

Author

Ms. Nivedita Roy

Nivedita Roy works with the Income Tax Department based in Kolkata. She joined the department in 2010 and has been working to achieve a distinctive position in the department through her hard work. She has a Master’s degree in Economics. She loves to read and cook new dishes. She and her husband have been blessed with a baby girl this year.