ICDS probe: Cashier jumps off building

Karthikeyan (32), a cashier working with the Tiruchengode-based Christy Friedgrams Industry (CFI), a food processing company closely associated with implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), was being questioned by a team of officials from the Income Tax department on Friday. 

The department had initiated searches and questionings following allegations of tax evasion running to several crores. 

“As the inquiry was underway, Karthikeyan walked out claiming to be feeling giddy. He then went upstairs and jumped off the building. He suffered severe injuries in the fall and has been rushed to a private hospital in a critical condition,” said a policeman. This incident triggered tension, as Karthikeyan is suspected to have attempted suicide fearing arrest after the inquiry. According to police, he is residing at SKP Nagar, located behind the firm’s office. 

Meanwhile, Income Tax officials continued their search operations at the premises of Christy Friedgram Industry, the firm supplying egg and pulses for nutritious noon meal scheme, and its business partner Agni Group for the second day on Friday. The head of Christy Friedgram Industry, TS Kumaraswamy, was grilled on Friday by the taxmen, as he was away in Indore on Thursday. 

“Many of the search teams are yet to return from their locations. Scrutiny of seized documents are going on,” sources in the I-T department noted. The tax sleuths had questioned Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation MD M Sudha Devi and searched her house in Nerkundram on Friday. I-T sources said that the raids at 72 places in the state and Bengaluru have resulted in seizure of Rs four crore cash, investment documents and foreign currency. 

I-T officials noted that the company had evaded tax and created shell companies to fabricate fake bills, which were approved by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies  Corporation.