ED, I-T raid firms linked to PC's son

Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths and Income Tax Department (I-T) officials on Tuesday conducted raids at various companies in Tamil Nadu linked with former Union finance minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti P Chidambaram.

However, the I-T department officials refused to disclose whether they had seized any documents from the firms that were raided.

Terming the raid as target by the Centre, Chidambaram said “if the government wishes to target me, they should do so directly, not harass friends of my son who carry on their own businesses and have nothing to do with politics”.

Stating that he had made it clear, repeatedly, that no member of his family has any equity or economic interest in any of the firms that are being targeted, Chidambaram said “they are companies that are professionally managed and are capable of answering any questions that may be put forth by the authorities. I condemn the attempt to link them to my son and harass them on that ground. My family and I are quite prepared to face the malicious onslaught launched by the government.”  

 Chidambaram said the agenda of the government is being implemented by an ED officer, who has a pending dispute with the department of revenue, ministry of finance.

 “Orders in his case were apparently passed during the term of my predecessor. He met me and wanted me to intervene in his favour. I declined and I told him that I cannot reverse orders that were issued during the term of my predecessor. The change of government has given him an opportunity to misuse his powers to harass my son and his friends,” Chidambaram said.