Income-tax sleuths searched the premises of Karur-based firms involved in money lending (mainly those dealing in unaccounted cash), textiles, real estate business and civil contracts.
These searches are in continuation of searches on financiers in Karur conducted last month, said an income-tax official.
Major firms which were raided included the Aasee Exports Group, the Navrang Group, the Kongu Mani Group, the MCS Group and the Pacific Exports Group, said the official.
Searches are conducted under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act in nine premises in Karur, he added. Section 132 provides for searches on persons who are suspected to have undisclosed income or property.
Income-tax sleuths also conducted surveys under Section 133 A of the Income Tax Act in 15 premises. Section 133 A enables officials to verify stock, cash and other valuable articles, books of accounts and documents lying in the business premises.
The search operations began around 11 a.m. and continued beyond 6 p.m. Searches were conducted at Ramakrishnapuram, Sengunthapuram, Andankoil, Ram Nagar, Rayanur and Vengamedu in Karur and surrounding areas.
The residence of an AIADMK functionary at Ram Nagar was also searched by the officials.
The functionary was one the campaign managers of Senthil Balaji in the Aravakurichi election. Mr. Balaji, who was disqualified by the Speaker recently, is a staunch supporter of sidelined All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran.
Senthil Balaji seeks bail
Meanwhile, Mr. Balaji filed an anticipatory bail plea in the Madras HC in a cheating case pending against him before the Central Crime Branch police. Stating that the case had been registered on the basis of the allegation that ₹95 lakh hadg been paid to his associates for securing jobs in State transport corporations, the petitioner claimed that the police were trying to arrest him based on “false complaint.”
“The present government perceives that I am against the government. The Speaker had disqualified 18 MLAs, including myself. Suffice to say that the present government seeks to wreak vengeance against me... It is clear that the complaint has been made deliberately to implicate me in an offence,” his affidavit read.
( With inputs from C. Jaisankar in Karu r)
