IT Raids on Former AIADMK Minister's premises

Madurai, Aug 23 (UNI) Income Tax sleuths today seized incriminating documents and jewellery after raids on the residential and commercial premises belonging to Former AIADMK Minister R Viswanathan at Natham Town and nearby villages in adjoining Dindigul District.

The searches, part of a state-wide operation, which commenced at 0900 hrs, were still continuing, according to official sources. In all more than 150 personnel were engaged in the raids being conducted at 19 places.

The AIADMK leader was holding the Transport portfolio in the previous Jayalalithaa Cabinet. The raids followed an anonymous letter to the IT Department alleging he had amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income, the sources said.

Documents pertaining to bank deposits and various properties besides gold jewellery were seized and their value was being ascertained.

Besides the residence of the AIADMK leader at his native Vembarpatti Village, the IT team raided a petrol pump, Mango Pulp and Juice Unit and the P R College of Arts and Science with which he is said to be associated, all in the vicinity of Natham.

Meanwhile, similar raids on the residential and commercial premises of two groups of automobile dealers in the city, Solaimalai and Velmurugan, were in progress.

The searches on the premises of Velmurugan Group of Companies, including cinema halls and a hotel, has reportedly yielded two kg of gold jewellery among other things.

Unaccounted cash recovered during the operation was being counted. Similarly, incriminating documents were seized from the premises of Solamalai Group, a major automobile dealer.

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