With just days left for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, officers from the Income Tax department are conducting a search in the house and office of Sabareesan, DMK Chief MK Stalin’s son-in-law and daughter Senthamarai on Friday. Apart from the residence at Neelankarai on East Coast Road in Chennai, three more properties are being raided. Sabareesan has over the years been a close advisor of Stalin and is known to be a key strategist for the DMK, but maintains a low profile.
According to reports, over 25 officers belonging to the Income Tax Department are conducting the searches in Sabareesan and Senthamarai’s properties. The searches in Sabareesan’s properties began on Friday morning and are currently in progress.
Sources in the DMK told TNM that Sabareesan was in Coimbatore on Thursday and is returning to Chennai in the wake of the I-T searches. Raids are also being held at the residences of DMK Karur candidate Senthil Balaji and Anna Nagar candidate MK Mohan.
Reacting to the raids, MK Stalin said,"I am telling Modi, this is DMK. Don’t forget it. I am Karunanidhi’s son. I won’t get scared about such things.”
These searches come days after the sleuths from the Income Tax department conducted similar searches in DMK leader EV Velu’s properties in Thiruvannamalai. The officers combed EV Velu’s house, guest house and the premises of the colleges he owns. EV Velu is seeking re-election from Tiruvannamalai Assembly constituency. The searches at EV Velu’s house and business premises happened when Stalin was campaigning for Velu in Thiruvannamalai. Over 110 staffers were involved in the search in EV Velu’s house and business premises.
Tamil Nadu goes to polls on April 6. The battle is largely between the DMK led alliance and the ruling AIADMK alliance, which comprises the BJP.
Watch our video report on the raids