World: Income Tax Raids 50 Premises of Tamil Nadu Real Estate Firm Linked to DMK

The Income Tax Department conducted raids on a Tamil Nadu-based real estate firm with alleged links to the ruling DMK party. DMK supporters protested.

World: The Income Tax Department of India conducted raids and searches across 50 premises of a Tamil Nadu-based real estate firm on Monday, including locations in Chennai. The private firm has been alleged to have close links with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his family members, and is considered to be very close to the ruling DMK party.

Income tax sleuths also conducted raids on the premises of Stalin's son-in-law Sabareesan's auditors'
residence. The shareholder of the firm, Karthik, is the son of Anna Nagar DMK MLA MK Mohan, whose house was also raided.

The raids come after Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai released "DMK files," alleging that Stalin's son and current Minister, Udayanidhi Stalin, and his son-in-law Sabareesan had generated income beyond their known sources of income. Annamalai also claimed that the allegations of money swindling were not limited to the present DMK government but also during the period of M. Karunanidhi.

There were allegations that the real estate firm, G-Square, had received unhindered support when Stalin was Deputy Chief Minister in his father Karunanidhi's Cabinet. The Income Tax Department's actions prompted protests by DMK supporters against the agency's actions, amid reports that a DMK MLA from the city was also being raided by the tax officials. The situation is still developing, and further details are yet to emerge.