ED Seizes Key Documents in Tamil Nadu Minister's Case

The Enforcement Directorate seized important documents in raids against Tamil Nadu Minister I Periyasamy and his family. Allegations involve disproportionate assets linked to dummy companies. A special court order dismissing charges was overturned, but the Supreme Court has paused the case. Investigations are ongoing.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced on Monday the seizure of significant documents relating to properties and investments during recent raids on Tamil Nadu Minister I Periyasamy and his family.

The federal agency executed searches across Chennai and Dindigul on August 16, targeting the minister for rural development and panchayat raj, his son, MLA I P Senthil Kumar, daughter Indra, and several companies allegedly associated with him.

Documents related to property and investments were confiscated from Senthil Kumar, Indra, and the Irulappa Mills India firm's headquarters, where Periyasamy and his younger son P Prabhu serve as directors. Allegations of "dummy" companies operating there have also emerged.

According to the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), a disproportionate assets case is the basis for the money laundering probe against them.

The DVAC's chargesheet accuses Periyasamy of holding disproportionate assets worth Rs 2 crore, attained during his term as minister for revenue and prisons.

Although a special court in Dindigul had discharged the family of these charges, the Madras High Court later overturned the ruling, mandating a trial within six months.

However, the Supreme Court stayed this trial on Monday, with further investigations by the ED ongoing.

Meanwhile, the ruling DMK dismissed the ED's actions as a distraction from alleged electoral fraud allegations coined as "vote chori" by Rahul Gandhi against the BJP-led NDA.

(With inputs from agencies.)