Almost two hours after sleuths of the Income Tax Department descended on the residence of DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi in Thoothukudi, they have stated that it was a false alarm. According to IT Department sources, the officials arrived for a 'check' at the residence late on Tuesday, but it turned out to be a false tip.

Kanimozhi is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from the Thoothukudi parliamentary constituency. She is up against the BJP's Tamil Nadu State President Tamilisai Soundararajan.

Speaking to TNM, sources in the IT Department said that it was not a raid, but only a search. "This was a check. The check was carried out based on orders from the district collector. Nothing was found."

Speaking to media persons outside her residence, Kanimozhi herself confirmed that the search party found nothing. However she alleged that they did not show her a search warrant or a copy of the complaint. According to reports, the IT Department was informed of an unspecified amount of cash currency in the first floor of her home. But the department has not revealed who gave the tip off, which turned out to be wrong.

The residence where the search is ongoing has been rented by Kanimozhi ahead of her campaign in the district.