MADURAI/CHENNAI: Dismissing suggestions of any political or hidden motive behind I-T raids at residence of Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao, the Union government on Wednesday said the action came only after information.
Union commerce and industries minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union minister of state for shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said the raids were just a “routine investigation” by the income tax department and there was no politics involved in it.
“Do not assume any (hidden) idea behind the raid being conducted at the residence of the Chief Secretary. (Raid) is just a routine investigations and I will not comment further on it,” Nirmala told reporters at Madurai airport on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Radhakrishnan said the officers took action based on the information they received. “I believe that (I-T) officials had information and they raided only on that basis,” he said.
“The (Central) Government is involved in it and there is no politics. Every agency has a role assigned and they fulfill their responsibilities,” Mr Radhakrishnan said.
State BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan said Wednesday’s raids prove that the I-T department was working without any discrimination and had carried out a “usual procedure.”
“And today, searches are being conducted at the Chief Secretary’s residence. This is a usual procedure undertaken by the income tax department. So how is it acceptable if those like Mamata Banerjee call it vindictive action,” she said.
On political motives being attributed to the raid, she said: “The raids are done to see if any (illegal) cash is present. If there is nothing (incriminating available), they will say it. Therefore, I completely deny that this is vindictive action.”
