I-T summons Revenue Minister after raids in MLA hostel

Around 10.40 pm, I-T officials and election flying squad led by Jesudoss reached the C Block of the hostel premises and conducted searches in six rooms on the 10th floor.

Of the six rooms, room number 10 E belongs to Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management RB Udhayakumar, 10F belongs to Animal Husbandry Minister Udumalai K Radhakrishnan, and 10 D belongs to Krishnarayapuram MLA M Geetha. The other rooms that came under the scanner were 10A, 10B and 10C. Tension prevailed in the premises as those who occupied the rooms resisted the entry of I-T sleuths and argued with police personnel. The rooms 10A and 10B were locked and had to be broke open to search them.

Clarifying on the raids, the I-T department said that they conducted the raid based on the intelligence provided by the city police commissionerate, but found only a number of empty bags with slips. “The slips were impounded and statement of the policeman, who was present at the security detail of the minister, was recorded. Summons have been issued to the minister for recording his statement,” said the I-T department.

Meanwhile, unidentified persons broke open a private firm premises in Purasawalkam on Sunday night and escaped with documents a day after income tax officials locked and sealed it on complaint that cash was being distributed to voters from there.

The premises on Clemens road was sealed on Saturday and officials returned to the premises on Sunday afternoon. To their shock, the door was broken and things were found strewn around. Suspecting that the incriminating documents might have been stolen by the owners of the premises, I-T department officials have lodged a complaint at Vepery police station. Further inquiry is on.