Income Tax Department Raids Places Related to Minister AV Velu for Second Consecutive Day
Chennai/Thiruvannamalai/Karur/Coimbatore: The Income Tax Department officials conducted raids for the second day in a row at various places related to Minister AV Velu. The search operations were carried out after receiving complaints regarding tax evasion by the Public Works Minister.
It was alleged that AV Velu had not properly accounted for the income earned by educational and industrial institutions. Acting on these complaints, income tax officials conducted raids in districts including Chennai, Tiruvannamalai, Coimbatore, and Karur. The raids targeted places owned by the minister, his close relatives, and contractors.
On the second day, the search operations were extended to more than 6 places in Tiruvannamalai, including the minister’s house, educational institutions, foundation office, granite quarry, and the house and office of Arunai Construction. The house of the minister’s son, Kamban, was also among the locations searched.
Additionally, the search operations were conducted at more than 15 places in Chennai, including the Highway Department House, contractor’s house, and houses related to Casa Grand and Appasami Real Estate Company. In Karur Sengundapuram, the house of AV Velu’s assistant Suresh and a financial institution in Gandhipuram were also raided. Furthermore, the house of Padma, sister of former DMK MLA Vasuki, and the house of Sakthivel, former President of Thotakurichi Municipal Corporation, were also targeted.
During the raids, various digital data, bank transfer documents, and files were seized by the officials. Minister AV Velu, his son Kampan, and highway department contractor Venkat are among those being interrogated.
In Coimbatore, the search operations were conducted at the house of real estate tycoon Jayakumar of Parson residential complex in Nanjundapuram, a food and construction company owned by his son, and an infrastructure office in Sauripalayam. Filmmaker Abirami Ramanathan’s house and office were also raided for the second day, based on information linking him to Abbasamy Real Estate Company.
Income Tax officials have seized accounts, jewellery, money, and documents during the searches. They have stated that the examination will be completed in a couple of days, after which full details will be provided.
Yesterday, more than 40 places related to Minister AV Velu were raided.