In simultaneous searches at 18 places in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation seized 33 imported luxury cars on charges of tax evasion, sources in the investigating agency said.
The timing of the operation came sharply under question in political circles, as among the premises searched were the houses of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi’s sons, M.K. Stalin and M.K. Alagiri, who was a Union Minister until a day earlier. The operation came a day after the DMK pulled out of the United Progressive Alliance. CBI officials claimed that the searches were a routine procedure and not aimed at any individual.
Searches were carried out on the premises of prominent personalities and industrialists in and around Chennai, where the cars were seized. However, vehicles suspected to have been used by the family members of the two DMK leaders could not be located. A team searched Mr. Stalin’s house based on information that his son Udhayanidhi Stalin was using an imported car. Searches were also conducted at Mr. Alagiri’s house at Injambakkam, near here, the sources said.
On Wednesday, the CBI registered a case against car importer Alex C Joseph, Senior Intelligence Officer in the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Muruganandham and others on the basis of an input that luxury cars were imported and sold in the State in violation of established norms, thereby causing a loss of Rs. 48 crore to the exchequer. Though the DRI launched a probe a couple of years ago, no action was taken to recover the tax evaded or confiscate the vehicles.
Keywords: DMK leader M.K. Stalin, CBI raids, Stalin's residence, luxury cars import, import duty evasion case
P.M & F.M are totally wrong in saying that --CBI, IT raids should be totally independent of political considerations-- In India all these politicians are looting the country. Country has become most corrupt and lawless country on the earth.
Rule of law says" No body is above law" Does it mean that CBI should get orders form the PM or FM or Sonia or MOS (Finance) to raid in every case. Do they get orders for each and every case ? Does it mean these these VIPs (Stalin is not a Minister) are exempted from law?
This is the clear example of misuse of CBI, as a matter of fact I would rather say use of CBI. And this raid explicitly shows why UPA government has the support of Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav, as both of them are facing huge corruption/criminal charges against them and what on earth is stalling the case is investigation from CBI. I think now we all have the answer of this question, "External Support to UPA". I really hate that these scums are representing the nation on global scale.
Most of the people do not get it. It looks like the CBI are genuinely pursuing a case. It is just that they are able to do it only when one loses the support of the ruling party. This is because politicians/government restrain(s) CBI to not pursue a case. I guess CBI bureaucrats did not expect this huge back lash. They got their timing wrong. They should have waited for some time and then pursued - so that this perception of vindictive politics could've been avoided. So much so, it cost the case itself. They had to withdraw.
This raid seems like politically motivated.With DMK having pulled out
from UPA recently,this seems like an act of retribution from
Congress.The way CBI has been used to achieve political means by the
ruling parties,people have lost all faith on this premier
investigating agency.
With Mulayam Singh having already said few months ago that CBI was
used against him in the FDI voting in the floor of the house,this new
raid does not speak well of CBI in the light of people.
it's high time that we give a thought on how the premier investigating
agency in the country should work.
It is entirely possible that the CBI raids were planned weeks in advance, without the foreknowledge that the DMK would withdraw support to the UPA.
The remarks by the PM and FM terming the raids " most unfortunate" unwittingly have the effect of giving a clean chit to whoever is being investigated in advance of any evidence being collected.
Surely both the PM and FM should have enough faith in their own investigation arm to allow the law to take its own course, as they have been assuring all these years.
They should have the strength of conviction to say that it is not vendetta politics , even if the timing appears to make it look like that.
why this hue and cry. whether Stalin or any other politician is above
law? ofcourse, the timing looks suspect. let us not make much ado about
nothing.
CAG and CBI are of same independent body. While CAG is doing its duty(Bringing out the 1,75,000 crore scam), why does CBI is Government driven.
Only yesterday night, Derek O'brien, TMC leader, was commenting in NDTV show, that the centre will have mulayam , mayawati and CBI to support them to sustain for one more year. How true his words became, overnight. When the timing is bad,even a serious issue loses its significance. Now, this issue is being scorned as a political vendetta, an easy escape route from the serious charge they are confronting.
PC cannot be so naive to do such a thing. We all thought that he is a PM material but in this way, he will prove to be a third rate politician only.
High time HINDU brings out a clear cut editorial to make your readers understand how the CBI functions and what, when do they raid,they must be doing the complete investigations and filling all the details in the respective records, once the time comes the raids happen with the desired results.
It is now in open that power center for raids by CBI to happen or not lies in North Block.
Mr Chidambaram quickly coming to Stalin's defense smacks of vested interest and that
CBI itself is impartial, either way. India is a country where a factory worker or farm
laborer has no chance of getting justice whereas moneyed people don't even batter an
eyelid when they find that their house has been raided. Nobody asks how Mr. Stalin
can own a house in posh area and have so many expensive cars with his salary as a
legislator. India is the pro-rich country. We have rich people building billion dollar
houses.
Is CBI really independent body as claimed by government number of times in the past? There are news reports that raids are cancelled after disapproval of PC and Sonia. If raids are indeed cancelled, it is even more ridiculous situation as it clearly shows that CBI works in the hands of people in power.
I do accept with ilengo that congress is not that much stupid to react so fast with CBI raids but in current situation it mandatory to congress to send danger signals to other partners about CBI attaks if plan to leave UPA.. this could be one major reason for quick attack with CBI!!!!
This is not a surprise at all. Political vendetta and settling scores
is indeed in the DNA of Indian Politics. Perhaps Mr. Stalin should have
anticipated it. While it sounds like misuse of power, we should be
happy that CBI is actually using its power! In a case involving a scam
of Rs.1,75,000 crores the CBI will sleep on the files for years, give
time for the involved parties to destroy all possible evidences. The
court has to remind them that it is their job to raid and finally they
come out with a personal diary with some incriminating evidences! The
moment they become foes even a Rs.20 crore tax evasion would mean a lot
to CBI. "Long live Democracy"
Last time cops arrested Kalaingar, he got a sweeping Majority in Next
election. The future prospective leader of DMK can gain momentum only by
making use of such an incident. To my knowledge no leading politician
ever got convicted by CBI in recent past. Suddenly, Raja and Kanimozhi
seemed very clean and DMK moving out of UPA had no impact. If this can
be claimed as Political vendata, it can also be claimed as, well
orchestrated move to gain sympathy. Bottomline, CBI lost credibility.
Funny story to watch.
This is pure blackmail by congress. They have bluntly misused CBI in this case.Make CBI an independent agency.
Looks like CBI was held back from proceeding i this respect before due
to the uncertainty revolving around DMK. Now-that they are cleared, CBI
acted. But on the eve of withdrawal is conspicuous. But these raids
should not be restricted to this one incident
Whatever happened today is not a good sign for any future relationship of DMK-Congress party.
The politics of our country never ceases to surprise us, does it !!! It doesn't take rocket science to understand the co-incidence between DMK withdrawing from UPA and DMK Chief's son's house being raided as part of a probe that was initiated two years back.
Its difficult to comment if this is justified or not, but one thing is for sure, in case our goverment uses its power to do some constructive destruction of corruption, India could soon become a better place to live!
What is is happening only after DMK withdrew support?
What was CBI doing last week?
What triggered CBI to do the raid??? What kind of political interest does CBI have?
I really do not think CBI raids were authorised by Cong. The raids must have been by some ambitious officer who must have thought that the raids will please Cong I.The action seems to have backfired.
Cong. is not that stupid to authorise CBI raids so quickly after DMK withdraws support. Many readers have likened these raids to raids on Jagan of AP. In Jagan's case, Cong.really tried a lot to pacify Jagan and must have promised to allow Jagan a happy life with the money he had looted. Since Jagan was adamant for CM post, legal actions were taken against him. And,it is immature for Mr. Chidmabaram to condemn the raids. He is a cabinet minister and is directly responsible for government's key prosecution agency. PC need not please his Tamilnadu political masters. And Stalin would have sounded like a statesman if his reactions were something like, "It is a routine interrogation and I do not think Cong. is behind it". Instead he came out with some mundane and less diplomatic response.
Is India in right hands? If Stalin or any other leader made a fault or
corruption, it should be checked and punished. While one who supports,
is the corruption acceptable to the government? While one withdraw
support, is the government has the power to harass them?
This only confirms everybody's belief that CBI should be made as an
autonomous body- free from political clutches. If only political
immunity is sanctioned to the CBI it will discharge its duties without
fear or favour in any scandal case.kuon
The raid conducted by the CBI on the heels of DMK pulling out of UPA alliance cannot be viewed defenitly as retaliation on the part of Congress because before conducting such an activity several procedural formalities to be observed by the CBI.If it is an act of retaliation that is to be blamed.
The raids that are due were misused by the Govt.at its "chosen time"
of political convenience.The timing of this raid amply,loudly
&unmistakably points out CBI is under Govt.control.CBI is used as a political weapon &that explains the shifting roles of SP/BSP.
The timing could have been better. It is all about political vendatta with 3 players - congress, DMK and ADMK. Now, DMK has no power in centre or state. Congress would probably dig all the old cases with DMK - including 2G.
1. Looks like this raid was conducted without the knowledge of FM directly by the congress high command.
2. Congress is trying to get closer to AIADMK.
3. Both DMK and Congress are feeling betrayed by Chidambaram.
DMK thinks PC did not do anything to save Kanimozhi, Congress thinks that that DMK alliance benefited PC more than anyone.
Here is the Issue, AIADMK is not going to fall into congress' trap.
What this raid indirectly means is that. "If you are with us we will not only not raid you, but will go hand in glove with you. If you go away, we will raid you.
Ridiculous, Congress cant get cheaper than this. Political vendetta at its best and CBI is nothing but a puppet in the hands of the center. But must admit Congress is so transparent, even a kid would have understood the motive behind this. India shining.
Fight between the looters has broken out. Would be interesting to see the follow up actions now :)
The first punishment for withdrawing support to UPA
This has punctured this corrupt government's claim that CBI is an
independent organisation. It has just proved how congress is commenting
on it, using it for settling scores, manipulating allies and scuttling
corruption cases against its top leaders. People should vote for
candidates who promise to make CBI out of the government's control.
Not sure if the raids were the result of DMK's withdrawal of support, but it would definitely arise some questions as this happened immediately after the withdrawal. UPA or any government should not misuse their powers like this, only future should decide where these black mailing politics will head to.
" Mr. Chidambaram stated that he had conveyed his view to the Minister incharge."
This small little detail has been lost in transition. This small little detail conclusively proves that Central Ministers plan the raids of the CBI.
As per Congress, CBI is an independent body; it is so
independent that it knows when to raid the politicians no sooner than
they withdraw the support to congress led government. Now, it is the
clear reason why Mayawathi popped up on her own and supported congress.
So much so Mulayam. CBI is an invisible coalition partner to
congress, as claimed by some politicians. when DMK was needed to
support Indira Gandhi, Sarkaria commission report was sent to a nearby
dustbin; when it has become a foe, CBI raids. What a democracy!
Congress on its way out anyways.. They are adding more sins to whatever they have accumulated so far. Its very clear with the recent exposes that Manmohan and Congress were major players in 2G scam too. I personally dont like Narendra Modi because of his past. But I am very clear now that Congress should not come into power again, whether it is going to be Narendra Modi or some one else who would be coming in. As like DMK was shown way out in TN because of their involvement in 2G scam in the last election, Congress should be thrown out because of the tons and tons of scams they have done so far. Frankly, there is only one person who is responsible for all these, which is Manmohan singh. Anyone else in his seat would have done better. Whats is the point in sticking in the seat saying he cant do anything.
Face the music and feel the 'Heat'.Now Mr.P.Chidhambaram is shedding
crocodile tears?
It is absolutely a political vendetta by the Congress that abuses power of the CBI to maintain order; it is a classic example of the Althusserian Repressive State Apparatuses where the bourgeoisie exercise its politico-legal coercion over its equally powerful political enemy or the innocent masses. In a sense, the DMK, a regional political- dynasty, has destroyed the future national political ambitions of the Congress power centre in Delhi by suddenly withdrawing the support; this jolt by the DMK (done for its regional ambition) has destabilized the Delhi Power centre even before its many of schemes began bearing fruits for the 2014 elections. When the DMK was the Congress ally in the UPA-II for years, half part of that episode was controlled by the CBI with the revelation of the Spectrum Scam. After two days of the withdrawal of support by the DMK, today morning suddenly it struck in the mind of CBI to make a quick raid on the Stalin family.
This raid is already predicted. No wonder. Every common man knows that
CBI is acting as Congress Bureau of Investigation. Earlier, while BJP
raised this issue DMK leader kept silent. Now this is DMK's turn. TMC,
SP, BSP, NCP all are keeping the allies with Congress only because of
CBI raids. Congless loosing their credibility among tamil people.
the Cong-I is using the CBI to take revenge. Why don't the CBI raid Robert Vadra's residence to see how he amazed so much wealth and properties
Excellent work from Hindu, connecting two issues. Is congress that efficient within 2 days they can arrange for search warrant and depute staff to action it.
One more instance of Centre using CBI as a tool for harassing its opponents, for which reason it does not want CBI to be brought under the ambit of Janlokpal. Shame on Congress.
CBI is doing it's job now which is onhold due to political pressure. Go CBI go ... make him another example like Om Prakash Chautala
CBI says it is pursuing this case for some time, and if Mr. Stalin has
papers to prove that he has not evaded duty/tax, let him come clean
What DMK has been doing with the help of Palanimanickam( dy minister
Fin), is repeated.DMK led the way
Shame on UPA government. What a bad tactics?
May it be DMK's M.K. Stalin or YSRCP's Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, whoever stands against Congress high command will end up facing raids and court punishments. Congress high command has this dirty habit of demolishing everyone who is against it.
It is pretty clear that CBI raid is a consequence of DMK's withdrawal of it support to UPA. It is a clear warning from UPA to DMK that if they don't support there will be much turmoil. Don't be surprised if Stalin goes to Jail just like Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Cheap shot by Congress. The party has very petty people calling the shots. The timing of the raid was so poor that anyone can see the politcal vedetta in bold fonts. Congress has to answer the charge of using the official machinery for settling political disputes. Pity that the CBI chief could not stand up to the minions of the party.
Stalin gets the sympathy and the vote, Congress gets wiped out of TN.
Well done Congress.
This is known to common man in India but If CBI is independent organization like Indian Judiciary, then 90% of politicians sit in JAIL.
The same methodology used in AP by raiding jagan's house is displayed.
This will put the end for speculation of DMK's continuance with cong.
if DMK has any sense of self-respect.
what a blatant abuse of power by the Congress. . This is atrocious.
Hilarious!!.The source can be most appropriately derived and penned
down.It happened with Jagan of A.P.,and now with Stalin. I doubt about
controlling authority of CBI?? only puns can be made out of these or can
something serious be done???
Is withdrawal of DMK from UPA is in anticipated retaliation for today's raids by CBI? The raids by CBI can't be said to be planned only after withdrawal of support to UPA.
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