Tax Evasion Allegations Trigger Raids at 60 Locations Linked to DMK Leader EV Velu

In a significant development, the Income Tax department initiated raids on Friday at 60 locations connected to DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister EV Velu. The searches are part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion involving educational institutions, sand quarries, and building construction activities.

The searches are underway at 60 locations across Chennai, Thiruvannamalai, Karur and Coimbatore.

Nearly 200 Income Tax officials conducted simultaneous searches in Chennai, Thiruvannamalai, Karur, and Coimbatore. The properties targeted included residences, offices, and educational institutions associated with individuals linked to EV Velu.

This is not the first time that Income Tax officials have probed properties related to EV Velu. In 2021, during earlier searches, discrepancies were reportedly found in the operations of sand quarries.

EV Velu, a senior leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, currently serves as the Minister for Public Works in the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister MK Stalin.

The raids have drawn condemnation from the DMK, with party spokesperson Saravanan describing them as a response by the BJP-led Centre to counter the growing influence of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, during a recent event, accused the BJP government at the Centre of intimidating opposition parties by allegedly misusing central agencies for conducting raids. He highlighted the use of the Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate against those expressing views against the BJP government. Stalin also referenced the recent incident involving phone tapping, where Apple Inc issued a security notification to opposition leaders, further fueling concerns over privacy and political motivations.

The ongoing raids mark a significant moment in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, raising questions about the use of central agencies and the need for transparency in political investigations. As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial to monitor developments and ensure fairness and accountability in the legal proceedings. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.