I-T officials raid Tamil Nadu chief secretary’s house in a money laundering case

Officials of the Income Tax Department are conducting raids at Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao's residence in Anna Nagar, Chennai.

Reportedly, the I-T officials are conducting search and survey operation on 13 premises that belong to Rao and his family and associates in Chennai, Bengaluru and Chittoor.

According to sources, the chief secretary was under the I-T scanner for quite some time. I-T officials are questioning Rao since morning 5:30 am.

The raids are being conducted in connection with his alleged links with sand mining baron J Shekar Reddy and others.

Earlier, the I-T department had seized 177 kg of gold, cash worth Rs 34 crore in the new Rs 2000 denomination and Rs 96 crore in demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from three businessmen - J. Shekhar Reddy, Srinivasalu and Prem.

Both CBI and Enforcement Directorate have registered cases against Shekhar Reddy and others for allegedly money laundering black money.

In a major shuffle after the re-election of AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu, Rao was appointed Chief Secretary in June this year. Rao, 1985 batch IAS officer, also holds additional charge of Vigilance Commissioner and Commissioner for Administrative reforms.