Enforcement Department Conducts Raids on Sand Quarries and Offices in Tamil Nadu
Chennai – The enforcement department recently conducted raids in more than 25 locations across Tamil Nadu, including sand quarries, storage warehouses, houses, and offices of quarry owners. The Department of Mineral Resources in Chepakkam Ezhilakam campus was also raided, and officials examined the documents.
The government of Tamil Nadu has been selling river sand through online booking, issuing e-receipts to buyers. However, numerous complaints were received by the Enforcement Department officials claiming malpractice and illegal sand sales without proper procedures. These actions have resulted in tax evasion amounting to crores of rupees.
To address these concerns, the enforcement department formed different groups and conducted simultaneous raids in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
The residence and office of sand contractor S. Ramachandran, located in Muthupatnam near Vallatirakottai in Pudukottai district, were raided. Additionally, Kamban Kazhagam president’s office in Pudukottai was also inspected. The sand quarries managed by Ramachandran were closed in Kovildi near Kallani, Marur near Thiruvaiyaru, and Mallampalayam in Karur district.
Furthermore, the home, office, and educational institutions of businessman Rathnam on Dindigul GTN Road were raided. Related raids were also conducted at the Punalkulam Gravel Quarry owned by Shanmughat, who is believed to be associated with Rathnam, as well as the residences of Pala, Manivannan, and civil engineer Malavarayanpatti Veerappan in Pudukottai.
The enforcement department inspected the sand distribution center in Thiruvanikaval area in Trichy. Officials examined documents related to daily sand collection, dispatched loads, and whether sand was being transported without proper documentation. They also questioned the center’s officials.
In Namakkal district, the enforcement department raided the sand storage warehouse at Sevitranganpatti and a sand quarry in Oruvantur near Moganur. The contractors present at these locations were interrogated.
A sand quarry in Kandaneri near Pallikonda, Vellore district, temporarily suspended sand mining activities due to the enforcement officials’ raid. Additionally, the government sand quarry operating for the past six months on the Kosasthalai River in Perumanallur, near Pallipta in Tiruvallur district, was also raided.
Yesterday, enforcement officials unexpectedly entered the office of the Department of Mineral Resources in Chepakkam Ezhilakam Complex and conducted a search. Documents pertaining to the department were examined.
Reports indicate that searches were also conducted at locations linked to Minister Senthil Balaji.
The homes of Auditor Shanmugaraj in Anna Nagar, Engineer Thilakam in Mukappher, and former Transport Department Manager in Nungambakkam were also raided.
Throughout the raids, enforcement officers were accompanied by armed Central Industrial Security Forces. It is believed that various important documents related to illegal money transfers and unaccounted funds were seized during these operations conducted across Tamil Nadu.
Back in 2016, the central government implemented demonetization, and the Income Tax Department compiled a list of individuals involved in the illegal conversion of old currency notes into new ones. Notably, a well-known businessman from Chennai was implicated. Consequently, the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Department raided linked properties. Based on crucial documents obtained during these raids, the residences and offices of Sand Quarry Contractors Pudukottai Ramachandran and Dindigul Rathinam Agioor, who were closely associated with the Chennai businessman, were targeted. Substantial amounts of unaccounted money and gold were discovered. As a result, the enforcement department conducted the recent search operation.
The raids have further intensified efforts to combat illegal sand sales and tax evasion in Tamil Nadu.