IT searches underway at premises linked to TN Minister Velu

Chennai: Income Tax officials on Friday launched searches in multiple locations in Tamil Nadu linked to Minister EV Velu, official sources said.

In Chennai city, the residence of the Minister is located in Srinivasa Street, Abhiramapuram.

The raids have covered multiple business of his relatives and also on the premises linked to contractors who are involved in the PWD works.

Sources said the raids were underway in about 80 locations across the state, including premises linked to the Minister in West and Delta districts including Coimbatore and Karur.

Private real estates businesses in Tiruvanmiyur, T. Nagar, Kilpauk, Anna Nagar, Mount Road, and Vepery, in the state capital.

Velu has been part of erstwhile DMK regime cabinets.

He had held the portfolio of Food in the late M Karunanidhi led cabinet between 2006 and 2011. He has been returning to the State Assembly as DMK legislator since 2001. Earlier in the 80s, Velu contested and won as an ADMK legislator before switching to the DMK.

In his native Tiruvannamalai district, the IT sleuths descended on 16 premises linked to the DMK Minister.

The searches, according to sources, began at 6.30 am, beginning from his residence in Kilnachipattu village and simultaneously carried out in various medical, and engineering colleges linked to Velu's relatives and acquaintances.

It is learnt the local police were not informed by the central agency. The security was provided by the CRPF personnel.

As the word got out, the supporters of the Minister began assembling in front of his house. The supporters also raised slogans against the ruling BJP in the centre for using agencies to politically undermine its rivals.

The searches were being held in different parts of the state, including here, the sources said without divulging details. Velu, a senior DMK leader, holds the Public Works Department, Highways and Minor Ports portfolio in the MK Stalin led cabinet.