IT raids popular eateries, hotel chains

Income Tax officials raided the offices of some well-known hotel chains over alleged tax evasion.

"The raids at many locations in Chennai began at 8 a.m. and continued till late evening," a senior IT official said. "Only after the searches end, the tax evasion can be quantified."

At some places, IT officials examined the records till late in the evening. Roughly, there were over 30 locations where the hundred-strong team of officials descended early in the morning.

Among those raided included popular hotel chains like Sarvana Bhavan, Hot Bread, Anjappar and Grand Sweets.

Not only the offices of the eateries were raided but also the residences of their owners, IT sources said.

The investigation is aimed at finding out if the hotel chains and eateries had suppressed income.