IT SLEUTHS RAID JAYALALITHAA’S RESIDENCE IN POES GARDEN

Income Tax sleuths searched the Poes Garden residence of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday in what is believed to be part of a crackdown on jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala and her family.

More than 10 I-T officials were at Veda Nilayam, which Sasikala once shared with the late AIADMK leader.

Sources said the search was for possible unaccounted for wealth owned by Sasikala, who is serving a jail term for corruption.

The action came barely a few days after the department carried out a three-day search at more than 140 residential and business premises linked to Sasikala and her family.

Supporters of Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran congregated outside the residence and on the roads leading to it, shouting slogans against the Centre.

The CEO of Jaya TV and Sasikala’s nephew Vivek Jayaraman also reached Poes Garden.

Sources said the searches had court permission.

Tweeting about the issue, Dinakaran called it a betrayal of Amma’s soul.

“On whatever reasons the raids are being conducted at residence of Jayalalithaa, the deed is definitely to save EPS and OPS. Amma’s atma (soul) won’t pardon EPS and OPS,” he said, referring to chief minister E Palanisami and his deputy O Panneerselvam.

Addressing mediapersons on Saturday, Dinakaran said the Centre was trying to destroy his family by misusing the I-T department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

He also blamed Palaniswami and Panneerselvam of instigating the Centre to target family members and friends of Sasikala.

The operation follows the interrogation of Jayalalithaa’s secretary Poodongran and Vivek Jayaraman over the past few days.

CHENNAI: THE ACTION FOLLOWS INTERROGATION OF JAYALALITHAA’S SECRETARY AND SASIKALA’S NEPHEW VIVEK JAYARAMAN OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS