Income Tax dept raids Jaya TV Chennai office, calls it 'Operation Clean Money'

Chennai: Income Tax (I-T) officials began raids at the premises of Jaya TV office in Chennai and its associates on Thursday morning over suspected tax evasion as part of 'Operation Clean Money.'

A team of around 10 officials of the I-T investigation department entered the office of the television channel at Ekkatthuthangal around 6 am after showing their identity cards.

Income Tax department conducted raids at Jaya TV and Dr Namadhu MGR (Tamil newspaper) premises in Chennai, in a case of alleged tax evasion, ANI reported.

The allegation also covers aspects like shell companies, dubious investments, fund flow and fudging of accounts, income tax sources told PTI.

Searches also cover the premises of Midas Distilleries and Jazz Cinemas, sources said.

The two entities are perceived to be associated with some of those linked to Jaya TV.

Jaya TV also reported the searches by tax sleuths in its premises and at Jazz cinemas.

Jaya TV was started by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The channel is now controlled by jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala's family members, led by her nephew Vivek Jayaraman.

Jaya TV has been highly critical of the functioning of the ruling AIADMK government after the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy and his deputy, who was the former chief minister, O Panneerselvam unified in August.

The raids by the I-T department could have a significant impact on Tamil Nadu politics, with the ruling AIADMK faction engaged in a bitter battle with rebel Dhinakaran and his supporters.

With inputs from agencies.