The Katpadi police filed cases against DMK’s Vellore candidate Kathir Anand and party members Poonjolai Srinivasan and Damodaran, in connection with the seizure of ₹. 11.48 crore from a cement godown in Nadumottur village in Katpadi region by Income Tax officials.
Police officials said that a case has been filed under section 125 (A) of Representation of Peoples Act 1951 and sections 171 (B) (2), 171 (E) of the Indian Penal Code and for filing false affidavits and attempting to bribe the voters.
According to a complaint filed by the election department official, the DMK candidate Mr. Anand had filed an affidavit with the Election Commission declaring that he and his wife Sangeetha Kathir had ₹. 7.43 lakh. However, the cash seized from premises belonging to Mr. Anand was in excess of that amount.
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Subsequently, ₹. 11.48 crore was seized by IT officials from DMK partymen owing allegiance to DMK treasurer Durai Murugan and Mr. Anand, it was reported.
The IT department has submitted a report to the election department on the amount seized and incidents that preceded the raids on March 29 and April 1.
The amount seized was claimed by one Poonjolai Srinivasan that it belonged to him and was meant for distribution to the voters. The huge haul of cash, all in small denominations, was found in packed covers and numbered ward-wise, indicative that they were meant for distribution to voters.
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DMK treasurer and Mr. Anand’s father Durai Murugan issued a statement claiming the cash did not belong to them.
Official sources said the cash was kept inside the engineering college that is owned by Mr. Anand and it was moved on the night of March 29, when partymen and advocates were engaged in arguments with the law-enforcement officers who visited Mr. Durai Murugan’s house for a raid.
The police said the IT Department had sent a report to the EC and instructions were issued to Vellore Superintendent of Police to proceed against Mr. Anand and others.