Sleuths
of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) today raided
the residences and various premises of former DMK Minister Durai
Murugan and his relatives in Chennai, Vellore and various parts of
Tamilnadu in connection with allegedly amassing wealth disproportinate
to known sources of income. DVAC sources said the raids which began at
around 7.30 am this morning were still continuing.
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The
DVAC simulataneously raided 14 premises belonging to Durai Murugan and
his relatives in the city, at Vellore and various parts of the State.
After the AIADMK came to power in the Tamilnadu Assembly Elections in May 2011, the DVAC had raided the premises of several former DMK Ministers, including K N Nehru, K Ponmudy, M R K Pannerselvam and N K K P Raja in connection with charges of land grabbing or amassing wealth disproportinate to known sources of income or both. Those who had faced the raids also include several DMK frontline leaders. A report from Vellore said DVAC teams simulatenously raided Durai Murugan's residence at Gandhi Nagar those of his brothers Durai Singaram and Durai Mahalingam, a bottling company, an engineering college and a teachers' training college allegedly owned by the former Minister and his family members. DVAC also raided the ex-Minister's premises in Erode and Coimbatore. In Bangalore, the DVAC raided the house of Durai Muguran's son-in-law's residence. The raids were still continuing and expected to last till late this night, DVAC sources said. The DVAC sources, however, remained tightlipped about the progress of the raids. A DVAC release said its officials conducted a probe against the former PWD, Law and Prison Minister for accumulating assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during 31 March 2006 to 31 March 2009. Since a prima-facie case of cognizable offence was made out, a case in Vellore Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Unit was registered against Durai Murugan under Secs 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (e) of Prevention of Corruption Act yesterday. Consequent to this, searches were being conducted at Vellore, Kanchipuram and Chennai Districts by the DVAC. Apart from Duramirugan's house at Gandhingar in Vellore, his wife Santhakumari's house was also raided. The residences of Duramurugan's brother D Duraisingaram at Katpadi in Vellore was also raided, besides the mineral water unit (Tidel Water Supply) run by the family members of Duraimurugan, its godown and ITC Cigarette godown in Katpadi, owned by his son Kadhir Anand, was also raided. The office premises of Kingston Engineering College, and Duraimurugan Education Trust B Ed College and Secondary Grade Teacher Training Institute, a Cottage belonging to Kathir Anand at Yelagiri, a Spinning Mill Cottage, Rajamma Export firm in Kancheepuram District and three commercial flats belonging to Durai Murugan in Chennai City were also raided. |