{"id":295457,"date":"2025-05-02T02:59:20","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T02:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/02\/as-ajay-devgns-raid-2-releases-an-ex-irs-officer-explains-how-a-real-raid-works\/"},"modified":"2025-05-02T02:59:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T02:59:20","slug":"as-ajay-devgns-raid-2-releases-an-ex-irs-officer-explains-how-a-real-raid-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/02\/as-ajay-devgns-raid-2-releases-an-ex-irs-officer-explains-how-a-real-raid-works\/","title":{"rendered":"As Ajay Devgn\u2019s Raid 2 releases, an ex IRS officer explains how a real \u2018raid\u2019 works"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"As<\/div>


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Who really conducts raids\u2014and how do they unfold behind closed doors? Don\u2019t expect films to give you the full picture, even as civil servants become regulars on the silver screen. From IAS to IPS to IFS, the bureaucracy has found its fanbase, with officers often placed on a pedestal by audiences hungry for stories of power and purpose.<\/p>\n

Continuing this trend, Ajay Devgn returns to the big screen seven years after Raid<\/strong><\/a>, once again portraying a no-nonsense officer in Raid 2. Again, he steps into the shoes of an Indian Revenue Service officer\u2014shining a rare spotlight on a force that usually operates behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

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So what really happens during a raid? Former IRS officer Ravi Kapoor takes us inside the high-stakes world of financial searches\u2014before, during, and after the knock on the door. So, before you watch Ajay Devgn\u2019s Raid 2, here\u2019s a ready reckoner on what a real-life raid looks like.<\/p>\n

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Inside a Raid: Former IRS officer Ravi Kapoor explains how searches work<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Former Former IRS officer Ravi Kapoor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pre-Search: Intelligence, Authorization, and Surveillance<\/strong>
What the public refers to as a \u201craid\u201d is officially known as a search, specifically under income tax laws. These are not routine checks for filing errors or underpaid dues. As former IRS officer Ravi Kapoor explains, this involves serious tax evasion\u2014planned and executed with criminal intent.<\/p>\n

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A search begins only after credible intelligence is received. \u201cSomeone tips us off\u2014perhaps a whistleblower or a rival\u2014about unaccounted wealth, illegal business operations, or systematic evasion,\u201d says Kapoor. If the information leads to a significant recovery, the informant may be rewarded with a small percentage of the seized amount.<\/p>\n

Even with reliable intelligence, the operation cannot proceed without authorization from a senior officer, typically of Additional Commissioner rank or above. A search warrant is then issued, clearly specifying the premises and the officers authorized to conduct the operation.<\/p>\n

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Before moving in, the team often conducts discreet surveillance. They observe activity at the site\u2014truck movements, visitor footfall, timing patterns\u2014to choose the ideal moment to act. \u201cHomework is crucial,\u201d says Kapoor.<\/p>\n

The \u2018Raid\u2019 or Search itself: surprise, evidence, and procedure<\/strong>
The first step is to present official identification and the search warrant. \u201cThat\u2019s essential,\u201d Kapoor explains. \u201cThere have been cases where people posed as tax officials to commit fraud.\u201d Surprise is critical to ensure no evidence is destroyed. But keeping a search under wraps is often difficult, especially when the targets are powerful individuals. \u201cLeaks are common. The moment someone influential is involved, information starts circulating,\u201d he adds. A well-planned raid includes mapping out entry and exit points, and timing the search to ensure key people are present\u2014factory workers in a commercial setup or family members at a residence.<\/p>\n

Officers then begin collecting evidence. This includes financial records, diaries, loose papers, or unofficial transaction notes\u2014what Kapoor refers to as kharchi-parchi. Inventory checks are also conducted to verify how much stock has been produced versus what has been sold.<\/p>\n

Raids can last several hours or even an entire day. Before leaving, the officers must prepare a legal document called a Panchnama. This outlines the details of the search and must be signed by at least five independent witnesses. \u201cNot preparing a Panchnama is a serious mistake,\u201d says Kapoor. \u201cEven if you find nothing, the documentation is non-negotiable. Most government cases fall apart in court due to mistakes made during this stage.\u201d He adds, \u201cAt the end of the day, this is about data gathering. A search happens only when there is no other way to obtain the information.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Post-Raid Process: Evidence Analysis and Legal Action<\/strong>
Once the operation ends, seized data is analyzed to determine the extent of tax evasion. If the authorities can prove wilful suppression of income, they are permitted to investigate up to five years of financial records\u2014beyond the usual limit.<\/p>\n

The next step is issuing a show-cause notice, asking the suspect to respond\u2014typically within 30 days. From there, formal legal proceedings begin.<\/p>\n

\"Raid Ajay Devgn in Raid 2.<\/span><\/p>\n

Real Raid vs Raid 2: What happens when the target is powerful<\/strong>
Raiding business tycoons or politicians is a different challenge altogether. Confidentiality becomes even more critical\u2014and even harder to maintain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re going after someone powerful, backlash is inevitable,\u201d says Kapoor. \u201cSomeone will call your boss\u2014or your boss\u2019s boss\u2014and try to apply pressure. Once they learn who is leading the raid, the calls start rolling in.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Officers are aware that these individuals have the power to strike back\u2014professionally and personally. \u201cCorrupt officers know how to work the system too,\u201d Kapoor adds.<\/p>\n

Raiding homes and families: caution, panic, and human Sensitivity<\/strong>
When raids are conducted at residential locations, officers must act with extreme caution. The presence of children, women, and elderly family members requires a sensitive approach. \u201cA raid team should always include female officers,\u201d Kapoor says. \u201cNot having one is a serious oversight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Entering someone\u2019s home is deeply personal and often met with panic or resistance. Officers must explain that it\u2019s a routine operation, not a criminal charge. \u201cTax evasion is about greed, not violence,\u201d Kapoor notes. \u201cUnless it\u2019s tied to terrorism or organized crime, it\u2019s not viewed as a heinous offence which even the government understands.\u201d<\/p>\n

He recalls a tense search involving a 70-year-old businessman whose taxes had dropped to zero. \u201cThe man was terrified,\u201d Kapoor says. \u201cI had to calm him down, assure him this wasn\u2019t an accusation. It\u2019s just a search. We could be wrong.\u201d Maintaining dignity, he insists, is part of the job.<\/p>\n

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But not everyone handles it that way. Kapoor has heard of officers who instilled so much fear that suspects fainted \u2014 or even suffered heart attacks. \u201cA responsible officer must ensure their actions don\u2019t cause harm. You are there to investigate, not punish.\u201d<\/p>\n

When violence looms: the role of the police<\/strong>
If a raid risks turning violent, officers must inform the police. But timing is tricky\u2014 sharing too much too early can cause leaks. \u201cSometimes the local police are hand-in-glove with the suspects,\u201d Kapoor warns.<\/p>\n

In cases where the operation points to something larger \u2014 like links to organized crime\u2014the case is handed over to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). At that point, it becomes an entirely different type of investigation.<\/p>\n

The pressure on officers: stress, performance, and fear of retaliation<\/strong>
Films often paint officers as fearless heroes. Reality is messier. Kapoor says officers conducting raids are often nervous\u2014worried about violence, legal backlash, or professional consequences. \u201cThe fear doesn\u2019t end with the raid,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

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He recalls a chilling incident where an officer\u2014also a former instructor during Kapoor\u2019s training period \u2014was shot in the face days after a raid out of revenge. \u201cIt can be very dangerous,\u201d Kapoor admits.<\/p>\n

There is also immense pressure to produce results. \u201cWill I find anything? Can I prove my intelligence was solid? Can I silence the complaints made to my seniors?\u201d Kapoor says. \u201cIt is a high-stress environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Power of IRS and films<\/strong>
In popular media, bureaucratic power has long been reserved for IAS and IPS officers. Recently, even IFS officers have received their due, as seen in The Diplomat starring John Abraham<\/a>. But IRS officers? They are rarely in the limelight.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course IRS officers hold power\u2014and they should,\u201d says Kapoor. \u201cWe prevent tax evasion, one of the most critical responsibilities for the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

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He adds that dealing with the rich and powerful makes the job very different. \u201cAn IRS officer is powerful but works quietly. If he is honest, he serves the nation. If he is corrupt, he makes a lot of money for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n