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Saturday, Sep 09, 2006

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DVAC raid on houses of former Ministers

Tamil Nadu Bureau

Cases registered against Panneerselvam, Anita Radhakrishnan

CHENNAI: In the first major operation by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) against AIADMK functionaries after the Dravida Munnetra Kazghagam came to power, searches were conducted in 23 places in the State on Friday in connection with disproportionate wealth cases against former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and former Minister Anita Radhakrishnan.

Four teams from Madurai, Tiruchi and Dindigul districts, searched Mr. Paneerselvam's house in South Agraharam Road, Periyakulam, for more than five hours. Officials refused to divulge details of the documents and papers seized. Mr. Paneerselvam was not at his residence.

Another team simultaneously searched the house of O. Raja, brother of Mr. Paneerselvam at Mundranthal in the town and his office functioning from a hired building near Periakulam MLA office on Periakulam Main Road. Two teams searched the houses of O. Balamurugan, another brother of Mr. Paneerselvam, and Saravanan, brother-in-law of the former minister on North Agraharam Street and South New Street.

In Tuticorin, the DVAC conducted raids on houses and a private firm that allegedly belonged to Mr. Radhakrishnan and of his relatives in Thandupathu near Tiruchendur.

Credible information

In Chennai, the DVAC said that based on credible information about the accumulation of pecuniary resources and properties by Mr.Panneerselvam, which were "far beyond his known sources of income," a case was registered in Madurai. Following this, searches were conducted at five places in Periyakulam and six places in Chennai.

A case was also registered against Mr. Radhakrishnan, a former Urban Development Minister, for "acquisition and possession of pecuniary resources and properties, far beyond his known sources of income." Searches were conducted at five places at Tuticorin, one at Tirunelveli, four in Madurai and two in Chennai. The search parties seized incriminating documents, according to the DVAC.

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