IT conducts raids on DMDK leader, partymen hold protests

Chennai, Jan 23 (UNI) Sleuths of the Income-Tax department were carrying out raids on 30 different premises in Tamil Nadu including those of actor-politician and founder of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and MLA Vijayakant, his relatives in Madurai, Puducherry, Cuddalore and other places.

IT department sources said, raids were also being carried out on the premises of former AIADMK leader and Chairman of Jeppiar Group of Educational Institutions, Jeppiar and Jaya Engineering colleges, Jaya group of Educational institutions, owned by Marumlarchi DMK activist Kanakaraj at suburban Thirunintravoor, a private courier firm owned by one Ganesh Kumar at Udumalpet in Coimbatore district, owned by an activist of DMDK.

The sources said over 400 sleuths of the department had conducted these raids and allegedly discovered a huge volume of unaccounted money, investment documents and other bank deposit receipts and so on, since early today.

The raids were being conducted as part of the nationwide anti-tax evasion drive. The sources said that since the raids were still in progress, they were unable to disclose further information.

Income Tax raids on Mr Vijaykant and his relatives sparked of burning of effigies of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi by the DMDK workers.

Income Tax raids.....X X X Eds picking up here from para one line one of MS 55 POLITICS-TN-DMDK-LEAD EFFIGY.

UNI