Premises linked to DMK MP Jagathrakshakan searched by I-T officials

DMK MP and industrialist S Jagathrakshakan came under the radar of the Income Tax department on Thursday when sleuths conducted searches at 40 locations linked to him in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Jagathrakshakan, Lok Sabha MP from Arakkonam, has interests in several businesses, including the hospitality industry, and owns several engineering and medical colleges in Tamil Nadu. Sources said 40 locations, including the MP’s palatial bungalow in upscale Adyar and offices in Nungambakkam and other areas, and Sree Balaji Dental College in Medavakkam, were raided by I-T sleuths.

The DMK MP’s hotel in the business district of T. Nagar was also raided on Thursday, sources said. In neighbouring Puducherry, I-T sleuths searched Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences.

The senior DMK leader, who cut his political teeth in the AIADMK under the legendary M G Ramachandran, is the latest from the party to be raided by Central agencies after ministers V Senthil Balaji and K Ponmudy. While Balaji is in Puzhal Central jail for his alleged involvement in a money laundering case, Ponmudy is under investigation in a decade-old case.

Another minister Anitha Radhakrishnan is also under the scanner of the ED. The sources added that Jagathrakshakan is already under the scanner of the ED in connection with investments made abroad.

DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin condemned the raid saying the BJP government's “vindictive politics knows no bounds.”

“Arresting AAP MP Sanjay Singh and raiding DMK MP Jagathrakshakan's home are clear examples of their misuse of independent investigating agencies for political ends against INDIA bloc leaders,” Stalin said.

This deliberate persecution of opposition leaders is an assault on democracy, Stalin said, adding that the BJP conveniently forgets that the Supreme Court has just warned the ED to be transparent and fair.

“But it seems they are hell-bent on disregarding the rule of law and democracy. The BJP is clearly afraid of the growing unity among opposition parties. It's time they stop their witch-hunt and focus on addressing the real issues,” Stalin added.

The raids also come days after NIA raided over 60 locations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Delhi Police searched the residence of 46 journalists and activists associated with a news portal.