I-T detectives take Rs 32cr from TN poultry company

The Income Tax agency is said to have found almost Rs 32 crore in unaccounted money from the hatchery of a private chicken farm in Pollachi, Coimbatore district, during a search operation that began late on Monday. This is one of the largest cash hauls in Tamil Nadu’s history. Election Commission sources claimed that a thorough investigation would be carried out independently, even if they ruled out any poll connection to the money seizure.

Acting on a tip, a group of ten I-T authorities reportedly paid a visit on Monday morning to the MBS Hatcheries administrative office, which is situated on Water Tank Street in Alagappa Layout in Venkatesa Colony in Pollachi town.

Concurrently, a different team conducted searches at the company’s fodder production plant on Kollupalayam Road, close to Unjavelampatti in Pollachi. Tuesday evening around 8:00 p.m., the searches were still ongoing. I-T authorities sent employees from the State Bank of India’s Pollachi branch to count the cash on Monday after verifying the unreported cash stockpile.

Raid was an autonomous move by the IT department: Official

The Pollachi DSP V Jayachandran was contacted by the Income Tax department team to request police protection, and armed police officers were sent to bar visitors from visiting the company’s headquarters.

Throughout the night, staff from the Income Tax department persisted in tallying the cash and going over paperwork at the office, according to sources.

According to reports, they moved the cash to the SBI bank on Tuesday afternoon and then moved it to their currency chest.

The business, which has locations all throughout the state, is said to be owned by the Pollachi brothers Saravana and Arul Murugu.

Election authorities in the Coimbatore district, according to reports, want to look into the matter to see if the funds were brought into the area with the intention of distributing them to voters.

However, a top election official said that it was an autonomous activity of the Income Tax department.

“The income tax department should notify the Election Commission of India and submit a report on the money seizure since the model code of conduct is in place.” Based on preliminary findings, there is no connection to the election. However, the officer said that the ECI would conduct a different inquiry into the seizure.

Tiruchy: I-T seizes Rs 4cr.

In a narcotics investigation, ED teams check 25 locations.

As part of an investigation into former DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq’s possible involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering, the ED searched more than 25 locations in Chennai, Madurai, and Tiruchy on Tuesday under the guard of central paramilitary personnel, according to sources.

The Enforcement Department also searched Ameer’s properties in Purusaiwalkam and Santhome. Meanwhile, the I-T department has discovered over Rs 3.79 crore in unaccounted cash during a recent search operation at many locations in Tiruchy district connected to PWD contractors, according to sources.