ED Raids Premises Linked To Tamil Nadu Minister Periyasamy's Amid Money Laundering Probe
The Enforcement Directorate raided multiple locations linked to Tamil Nadu Minister I Periyasamy over suspected money laundering, causing tension and increased security in Chennai.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday morning conducted searches at multiple locations linked to Tamil Nadu Minister I Periyasamy, news agency IANS reported. It is learnt the raids are part of an ongoing investigation into suspected money laundering and illegal financial transactions.
According to IANS report, teams of ED officials arrived at Periyasamy's residence on Greenways Road in Chennai, his MLA guest house in Thiruvallikeni, and various properties in Madurai and Dindigul. The searches sparked tension, particularly near his Chennai home, where a group of people initially tried to block the officials from entering. Security has since been beefed up in the area to maintain law and order in the area.
Officials are reportedly examining financial documents and property records. The raids were underway at the time of writing this article.
Earlier this year, the central probe agency investigated alleged irregularities amounting to Rs 1,000 crore in the state-run TASMAC liquor corporation. The probe focused on questionable tenders, inflated pricing, and licensing manipulation.
Raids were carried out at the homes of senior officials, including the TASMAC Managing Director, and at several distillery offices. However, the Supreme Court stayed the investigation in May, slamming the ED for exceeding constitutional limits and interfering with a state-run entity.
In a separate case, the ED also searched properties linked to former environment official S. Pandian, seizing large quantities of cash, gold, diamonds, and documents.
As the latest operation involving Minister Periyasamy unfolds, political tensions are escalating. The DMK has repeatedly accused central agencies of targeting its leaders, while opposition parties argue such probes are essential to root out corruption. The outcome of these searches could have far-reaching political and legal consequences in the state.
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