Ex-DMK minister's house raided

Dharmapuri, Apr 7: Election officials on Wednesday, Apr 6 carried out searches in the houses of former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK candidate V Mullaivendan and two other leaders after a tip -off that money was being hoarded for distribution, but only four bundles of vests were recovered in the raids.

A flying squad led by Deputy Tehsildar S Prabaharan raided houses of Mullaivendan, contesting Apr 13 assembly polls from Pappireddipatti, ex-MLA R Vedammal and DMK town secretary M Sezhiyan in Harur, about 40 km from here, following information that money was being hoarded in the constituency for distribution to voters, officials said.

Mullaivendan was away on campaign in Pappireddipatti when the raid was conducted in his house.

Prabaharan later told reporters that no unaccounted cash and valuables were seized in the raids. The squad seized four bundles of vests with printed images of DMK chief Karunanidhi and his son M K Stalin from the house of Sezhiyan, he said.

The search was conducted after getting proper warrant from a court in Harur, he said. At Mullaivendan's house, a few DMK flags and banners were found and officials were shown receipts for the same.

After getting order from Election Commission, a case would be registered against Sezhian for hoarding vests, he added.

PTI