Why are Palanisami's relatives under agencies’ scanner?

Several Central agencies are probing the alleged links between the relatives of several ministers, and some firms, and the TN CM’s relatives could be on that list

As Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisami gets set to face the trust vote in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly on Saturday, in some quarters allegations are being levelled against some of his relatives. While wishing the chief minister luck, Arappor Iyakkam, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has said that there were several leads during a Central Bureau of Investigation probe that led to the relatives of Palanisami.

The case relates to a mining baron which is being probed by the CBI. A large chunk of money seized during the raids conducted in December belonged to powerful politicians in Tamil Nadu, the NGO has revealed. It alleges that there there are leads suggesting that relatives of the TN CM are connected with the case. The NGO says that a Madurai-based firm called Balaji Toll Ways, belongs to Sekar Reddy, a relative of EPS. He is a partner in this firm. The NGO also states that Chandrakant Ramalingam, who was arrested by the CBI in connection with a currency exchange case is also a relative of Palanisamy, the NGO further alleges.

Central agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate are probing into this case, say that there are several names of Tamil Nadu politicians which have cropped. A diary comprising 80 names are under the scanner. "We are also probing the alleged links between the relatives of several ministers, said an officer. When the officer was asked if the links between Palanisamy and his relatives would be probed, he said that it part of the investigation. "We will get to everyone involved in it," he said.

"The evidence is being built up and once a solid link crops up, we will get to it as well," he said. The officer however did not divulge the names in the diary saying that it would hamper the probe. "We assure that no one will get away however high and mighty he is," the officer added.

In addition, officials from the state environment impact assessment authority, the state revenue intelligence and some other bureaucrats are also under the scanner. Sekar Reddy was arrested for allegedly possessing over Rs 130 crore in cash and 177 kgs gold bars. More leads in this case were built after a handwritten diary was seized by the Income Tax Department during a raid conducted on the properties of Chandrakanth Ramalingam of Ramalingam Construction Company in Bengaluru.

Ramalingam, according to investigators is related to top politician in TN. It is suspected that the politician is Palanisami. The diary has 80 more names which include five TN politicians and government contractors in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, investigating officers tell OneIndia. Probe agencies are also checking if there is a nexus between the top politician from TN and several contractors. This came to light after two bureaucrats were arrested in Bengaluru.

OneIndia News