Tamil Nadu: I-T raids at alleged Stalin-linked real estate firm
What's the story
The Income Tax Department on Monday conducted raids at over 50 locations across Tamil Nadu related to G Square Realtors, a real estate firm allegedly linked to CM MK Stalin and his kin. I-T sleuths are also carrying out searches at the residence of the auditor of Stalin's son-in-law V Sabareesan. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supporters protested the action outside MLA MK Mohan's residence.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Around 10 days earlier, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President K Annamalai released the "DMK Files," claiming it "exposed" the party's corruption. He alleged 12 DMK members—including Stalin, his sister Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, his son and state cabinet minister Udhayanidhi, and Sabareesan—owned assets worth Rs. 1.34 lakh crore. The DMK issued a legal notice to Annamalai seeking an apology and a Rs. 500cr compensation.
Twitter Post
More details are awaited regarding raids
#WATCH| Tamil Nadu: DMK cadre holds protest after Income Tax raids house of Anna Nagar DMK MLA MK Mohan's son, who is a shareholder of firm G Square pic.twitter.com/Sj3QFC6QBv
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2023
Raid
DMK MLA Mohan's son reportedly a G Square shareholder
Apart from G Square Realtors' head office in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, searches are underway at Coimbatore and several other places across the state, along with the residence of Mohan, the DMK's MLA from Anna Nagar, and his son. Mohan's son is reportedly a shareholder in G Square Realtors. As per reports, the Income Tax officials are trying to trace the company's owners or partners.
Information
G Square Realtors raided earlier in 2019
Reportedly, the company was established in October 2012 and is currently a top-tier real estate firm operating across South India. The BJP has accused DMK leaders of fostering the company illegally. The Income Tax Department earlier raided the company in 2019, too.
DMK Files
Udhayanidhi, Sabareesan accumulated Rs. 30,000 crore 1 year: Annamalai
Annamalai has claimed that his party disclosed the details of around 190 companies owned by DMK leaders, and they calculated the value of each company professionally. He further claimed that Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan could be heard in leaked audio saying to a journalist that Udhayanidhi and Sabareesan illegally accumulated Rs. 30,000 crore in just a year.