ED raids Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji’s residence

Chennai (IANS) | Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on Tuesday raided the residences of Tamil Nadu Power Minister V. Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok in their hometown Karur in connection with a money laundering probe. Earlier, in May, the Income Tax Department had conducted marathon raids at the residences of Senthil Balaji and his associates. At that time officials of the Income Tax Department were abused and physically assaulted, which led to the arrest of several people associated with his brother Ashok.

The department had raided the residences and offices of several people considered close to the minister, including some contractors.

The ruling DMK in the state has accused the central government of misusing agencies like the Income Tax Department to take revenge on opposition leaders. DMK’s organizing secretary R.S. Bharti said the central government was unable to digest the popularity of the DMK and its leaders in Tamil Nadu, so it was working against the party leaders.

Senthil Balaji is an influential leader of the DMK, who left the AIADMK and joined the party. He has power as well as prohibition and excise department.

–IANS