Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at multiple premises related to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam strongman and Tamil Nadu Minister Durai Murugan, and his son Kathir Anand, in the state. The raids are reportedly related to Income Tax case registered against Anand in 2019.
According to reports, searches are being conducted at least at five places in Tamil Nadu, including at the residence of Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan and his son, Vellore MP Kathir Anand, in Katpadi. Searches are also being conducted at Kingston Engineering College in Christianpet, premises related to Durai Murugan’s close aide ‘ Poonchalai’ Srinivasan and at another residence belonging to Kathir Anand in Katpadi.
Durai Murugan is the general secretary of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and a close aide of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. He was also a close confidant of former chief minister Karunanidhi. The ED raids are reportedly related to an Income Tax case registered against Anand over cash-for-votes charges during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It has to be noted that the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Vellore was cancelled after over Rs 10 crore was seized from premises allegedly related to Anand’s associates in Vellore.
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IT officials raided premises of Srinivasan and his cousin Damodaran during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and seized Rs 10.48 crore from latter's premises. The money was allegedly meant for distributing to voters. The then election accounts officer registered case against Anand and his associates and probe is underway.
Two other DMK ministers, Senthil Balaji and K. Ponmudy are also facing ED cases over charges of money laundering. The Supreme Court recently granted Balaji bail in the case and he was reinstated as minister in Stalin cabinet.
