TN: In raids on Vijay Bhaskar, Sarath Kumar, IT unearths over Rs 4.5 crore

Crackdown on suspected illegal money hoarders in Tamil Nadu including a minister, an actor-turned-politician and their aides by the Income Tax Department.

Tamil Nadu health minister Vijaya Bhaskar who came under the income tax radar claimed that he was unnecessarily being harassed. "I am innocent and have done no wrong. They are unnecessarily harassing me and my children. They have not allowed my child to go to school," he said speaking to the media gathered outside his residence where IT sleuths have been carrying out searches.

The Income Tax department has unearthed over Rs 4.5 crore in the raids that were conducted in multiple locations in Tamil Nadu. The complete assessment is not yet complete as the raids are still on. IT officials would conduct a complete assessment before the final figure is made known.

Tamil Nadu health minister Vijaya Bhaskar who came under the income tax radar claimed that he was unnecessarily being harassed. "I am innocent and have done no wrong. They are unnecessarily harassing me and my children. They have not allowed my child to go to school," he said speaking to the media gathered outside his residence where IT sleuths have been carrying out searches.

Vijay Bhaskar alleged that he was being targetted unnecessarily and it was an attack on the Tamil Nadu government and just him. "They found nothing, not even Rs 10,000 in my house. The raids are taking place based on O Panneerselvam's complaints. I am innocent." the minister claimed.

The income tax department conducted raids on the residence of Tamil Nadu cabinet minister Vijaya Bhaskar on Friday. In an early morning crackdown, officials of the income tax department raided Vijaya Bhaskar's Chennai residence. Properties belonging to the Tamil Nadu health minister in Pudukottai and Trichy were also searched. Raids were also being conducted on properties belonging to actor-turned-politician Sarathkumar who extended his support to TTV Dinakaran on Thursday. Searches were also conducted at MLA hostel on Friday.

Meanwhile, AIADMK Amma leaders and workers created a ruckus outside the minister's residence even as Income tax sleuths continued searches. The Sasikala Natarajan camp supporters protested outside Vijaya Bhaskar's residence. The raids come a day after the income tax department began the crackdown on suspected illegal money hoarders after the deadline on PMGKY ended on March 31. Searches are being conducted in more than 50 locations including the minister's residence on Greenways road. It may be noted that the raids come just days ahead of the R K Nagar bypoll for which Vijaya Bhaskar has been campaigning for Sasikala camp's candidate TTV Dinakaran. Four CRPF personnel have escorted a team of 10 income tax officials who are searching the residence of the minister. The raids come after multiple complaints of cash distribution by Sasikala Natarajan camp in R K Nagar assembly constituency.

Post demonetisation, the income tax department had raided properties belonging to the former chief secretary of Tamil Nadu P Rama Mohan Rao following which he was shunted out of the post. Raids were also conducted on properties belonging to Tamil Nadu Dr M G R Medical University Vice Chancellor Dr Geethalakshmi and former MP Chitlapakkam Rajendran.

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