The Income-Tax (I-T) department has recently conducted extensive raids on properties associated with Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Public Works Department, Highways, and Minor Ports, EV Velu, and his close associates. Over the course of the past four days, these searches have led to the seizure of a substantial amount of Rs 22 crore in cash, as confirmed by official sources. In addition to Minister EV Velu’s assets, the I-T raids also targeted two prominent real estate developers, resulting in the confiscation of an additional Rs 7 crore in cash. These operations covered more than 40 locations throughout Tamil Nadu, including 16 places reportedly linked to the minister in Tiruvannamalai. The investigations have exposed unaccounted transactions worth hundreds of crores, raising concerns about potential financial irregularities.
The searches are still ongoing, extending into various educational institutions, such as Arunai Medical College Hospital, Arunai Engineering College, Jeeva Velu Matriculation School, and Karan Arts College. However, when reached for comment, Velu’s advocate and DMK spokesperson, S. Jayaraj, asserted that no documents or money were seized from the minister’s residence in Tiruvannamalai. He noted that a similar I-T raid was conducted in 2021, but it failed to yield substantial evidence justifying the operation. These searches have sparked a strong reaction from DMK leader and state minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who accused agencies like the I-T and Enforcement Directorate (ED) of being influenced by the BJP, claiming they function as political “wings” of the party. He emphasized that the matter would be addressed through legal means.
EV Velu now becomes the third minister in Tamil Nadu to come under the scrutiny of central agencies, following the arrest of Minister V Senthil Balaji in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering Act case filed by the ED. Similarly, Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy’s properties have also been subjected to searches by the ED. These developments have raised questions about transparency and accountability in the state’s political landscape.
Post Your Comments