The Income Tax Department may interrogate Sasikala in jail, in connection to the tax raids on at least 187 locations owned by her relative that have been over the past few day, ANI reported on 15 November.
The I-T Department detained Jaya TV managing director Vivek Jayaraman for questioning at the department’s headquarters in Nungambakkam, Chennai. Jayaraman is being questioned in connection with raids conducted at Jaya TV’s office, among a number of other locations in Tamil Nadu which are tied to former AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala.
The I-T Department has raided at least 187 locations in Tamil Nadu that are allegedly owned by relatives of Sasikala. The raids began on 9 November.
Citing sources within the Income Tax Department, CNN News-18 reported that officials seized Rs 7 crore cash, 5 kg gold, and diamonds. The report added that the I-T cell seized documents that indicate the existence of shell companies worth Rs 1,430 crore.
Jayaraman was taken to the Income Tax Department for questioning on the fifth day of raids.
Apart from the Jaya TV office, they have also raided Poes Garden, the Kodanad estate, and the residences of some of TTV Dhinakaran’s relatives.Pravhakaran, editor of Jaya TV, to The Quint
Income Tax Department officials also raided former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s Kodanad Estate in Ooty’s Kotagiri, along with properties belonging to Sasikala’s nephew, TTV Dhinakaran. The Times Of India reported that over 100 accounts connected to Jayaraman were frozen over the course of the raids.
The Hindu, however, reported that while I-T officials had confirmed the seizure of a number of documents that confirmed benami transactions, reports of bank accounts being frozen were “baseless.”
The Income Tax Department also raided the homes of Sasikala’s relatives in her hometown Mannargudi. Dhinakaran accused the Tamil Nadu government of conducting a political witch-hunt.
This is an attempt to remove me and Sasikala from politics. Raids are politically motivated. We are not scared, EPS-OPS are threatening us to acquire Jaya.TTV Dhinkaran told the media on 9 November
The News Minute reported that a number of “valuables” were also seized from a women’s hostel in Mannargudi, owned by Sasikala’s brother Dhivakaran.
I-T officials refused to reveal details about the seizures but confirmed to The Indian Express that a number of incriminating documents and gold items were seized.
Tamil news channel Puthiya Thalaimurai reported that Dhivakaran has been summoned to appear before the Income Tax Department on 14 November. He is likely to be questioned about the seizures from his properties.
(With inputs from The News Minute, The Hindu, The Times of India, and Puthiya Thalaimurai)
(This is a developing story and will be updated.)
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