DMK slams BJP over I-T search on individuals linked to TN Min Senthil

Press Trust of India

Chennai: Income Tax authorities on Friday launched coordinated searches at premises of individuals linked to state Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji in Tamil Nadu, with his brother, some relatives and friends coming under the radar of the taxman.

The ruling DMK in the state alleged the BJP used central agencies such as the I-T to "avenge" opposition parties. DMK Organisation Secretary and former MP R S Bharathi claimed that the searches were a result of the BJP being "unable" to digest his party-led government's popularity in Tamil Nadu.

The searches were being held in various locations in Karur, Erode and Coimbatore at the premises of individuals linked to the minister, police sources said. Incidentally, four I-T officials who were allegedly roughed up by a mob in Karur when they went there to carry out searches were later referred to a local government hospital, even as a vehicle was damaged by miscreants.

The state BJP lashed out at the ruling DMK over the incident. Close relatives of the minister and some contractors were among those whose premises were being searched by the tax authorities. Balaji, a senior DMK leader from Karur, also holds the Prohibition and Excise portfolio. Speaking to reporters here, the minister denied reports he was also being raided by the authorities and said searches were being held at the premises of his brother, his friends and relatives along with their acquaintances.

"There were no raids on my premises. Even if so, I am ready to face them. Such raids are not new to us as similar action was taken during the last phase of the campaigning for the (2021) Assembly polls... In most places where the searches were held, the individuals are already paying tax; they are not tax evaders," he said.

"If someone has done something wrong, please take action. Instead, is it fair to scale the wall and enter the house," he said, referring to officials doing so at one of the places. He said the persons concerned have assured full cooperation to authorities and would furnish whatever documents and details are sought by them. Balaji said he has come to know that the searches are being held in 40 locations across the state.

To a question on vehicles of I-T officials being damaged in Karur, he quoted the local police as saying the authorities had not informed them of the searches in advance and sought protection. Tense moments prevailed at Karur when miscreants allegedly damaged a car used by Income Tax officials.

The windscreen was damaged in the episode. Balaji said he was in public life since the mid-90s and denied any wrongdoing on his part. On reports of a massive residential property coming up in his native Karur, Balaji said it was in the name of his brother's wife on land "gifted" by her mother. No land has been purchased in his name or that of his family members since 2006, he claimed.

The raids at the locations linked to the DMK strongman came at a time when Chief Minister M K Stalin was on an official foreign trip to Singapore and Japan. Meanwhile, BJP state unit president K Annamalai criticised the DMK government over the alleged attack on the income tax sleuths and questioned the ruling dispensation over law and order in the state.

"Law and order has failed," he alleged in a statement. He sought stringent action against those targeting the officials, besides action against the Karur district police chief for allegedly failing to provide due security to the central agency's staff.