ED interrogates TASMAC Managing Director S. Visakan, conducts searches at 12 locations for the second day
The officers of Enforcement Directorate (ED) continued searches at 12 locations including the residences of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) Managing Director S.Visakan who is an IAS officer, a film producer and other individuals. Mr. Visakan was interrogated by the officers for a second consecutive day on Saturday.
The ED's actions follow a directive from the Madras High Court on April 23, 2025, which criticised attempts to impede the agency's investigation into the alleged ₹1,000 crore scam in procurement of liquor to the State-run TASMAC. The court's order has prompted the probe, leading to searches at multiple locations, including the residence of TASMAC Managing Director Mr. Visakan and other individuals connected to the case.
On Saturday, they conducted searches at the residences of Mr. Visakan in Manapakkam, KS Mart Kesavan, film producer Akash Baskaran in Alwarpet, businessman Devakumar in Anna Nagar, TANGEDCO contractor Rajesh Kumar, SNJ Distilleries manager Meganathan and businessman Babu.
Sources said the ED officers have sealed the residence of businessman Ratheesh Velu in MRC Nagar. Akash is said to be producing films simultaneously starring Dhanush, Simbu, Sivakarthikeyan, and Atharvaa, with a combined investment of over ₹500 crore.
During the search on Friday, the ED officers recovered documents and digital evidence, including printouts of WhatsApp conversations related to liquor procurement and tender processes. They interrogated Mr.Visakan by showing Whatsapp chats and other evidence, said sources.
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