Chennai - On Friday, the Income Tax department launched a series of searches at various locations in Tamil Nadu, targeting the properties of DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister EV Velu. These searches are being carried out in connection with suspected tax evasion involving educational institutions, sand quarries, and construction projects.

A team of nearly 200 Income Tax officials initiated these searches at 60 different locations in Chennai, Thiruvannamalai, Karur, and Coimbatore. The search locations include residences, offices, and educational institutions associated with individuals linked to Velu.

It's worth noting that Income Tax officials had previously conducted similar searches at properties connected to EV Velu in 2021. Sources with knowledge of the situation informed India Today that irregularities were discovered during the searches at the sand quarries.

EV Velu, a prominent member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), currently holds the Public Works portfolio in the Tamil Nadu government led by MK Stalin.

The DMK has criticized these raids, with party spokesperson Saravanan characterizing them as a response by the BJP-led Centre to counter the growing influence of the INDIA bloc.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader MK Stalin accused the Central BJP government of intimidating opposition parties by allegedly misusing federal agencies to initiate such raids. He stated, "Anyone who voices opposition against the BJP government at the Center faces threats and intimidation. The Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate are used against them. Now, we have the phone tapping incident, with the iPhone maker Apple Inc. issuing a security notification to opposition leaders," during the wedding ceremony of party legislator A Krishnaswamy's daughter in Chennai.