M Karunanidhi raises queries over seizure of Rs 570 crore in containers

Chennai: DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Saturday said several questions remain unanswered over the seizure of Rs 570 crore in container lorries at Tiruppur during the Assembly election campaign and expected the CBI enquiry to bring out the truths.

He also asked if the money involved is just Rs. 570 crore as a single container was enough to carry Rs. 570 crrores. Citing reports that the three containers had Rs. 5,000 crores, he said no one had confirmed the amount contained in the container.

Karunanidhi also questioned the delay of 18 hours by State Bank of India officials to claim the money and asked why the Election Commission of India intervened in the issue and sent the containers safely, when the IT officials started their investigation.

He alleged that Reserve Bank of India rules were not followed and no permission was obtained from the RBI. There were no proper documents for the money, the DMK leader said and asked why the Union Finance Minister announced that it was the SBI’s money, even before the bank officials did. When the model code of conduct was in place, the Election Commission did not file a case, he said and sought the motive behind it.