Income Tax officials entered Veda Nilayam, the residence of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, at Poes Garden here late on Friday and seized electronic gadgets, including a laptop and storage devices.
The searches were conducted based on a specific input that some persons were planning to clandestinely remove some crucial evidence from Veda Nilayam.
There were chaotic scenes around midnight at Poes Garden with police trying to control crowds. Police have barricaded the road's entry and exit points.
Police arrest supporters of AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran
Earlier, I-T department officials had conducted extensive searches for five days at the home of Jaya TV managing director Vivek Jayaraman .
"Whatever might have been the reason, the raids in Poes Garden where Amma [Jayalalithaa] lived gives immense pain. As far as I am concerned, Amma’s residence is a temple," - AIADMK V. Maitreyan told The Hindu .
Sidelined AIADMK leader T.T.V Dhinakaran blamed Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O. Panneerselvam for the raids. "They are betrayers. These were the people who said they will convert the house in to a memorial but are allowing these raids to happen."
Close to 1 a.m, Jayalalithaa's niece J. Deepa arrived at Poes Garden. She says police were not allowing her inside.
