I-T dept raids DMK treasurer Durai Murugan's Vellore residence

Vellore: Income Tax department and Election Commission officials are conducting raids since last night at Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) treasurer Durai Murugan's residence in Vellore, officials said on Saturday.

Kingston Engineering College and Durai Murugan B.Ed College, which are owned by Murugan's son Kadhir Anand, are also being raided by officials in Katpadi.

The DMK has fielded Kadhir Anand from Vellore Parliamentary constituency against AIADMK leader AC Shanmugam.

When the officials reached Katpadi, they were not allowed to enter Murugan's house by his advocate and DMK members, stating that the officials have no valid documents to carry out raids.

After an hour of delay, Assistant Commissioner of the I-T department Vijay Deepan arrived at the residence, following which a heated argument broke out between officials and DMK cadres.

The officials had come to search the house based on Section 131 of the Income Tax Act, which empowers the I-T authorities to conduct inquiries.

Meanwhile, Murugan's supporters alleged that the raids are "politically motivated" and officials are not abiding the law.

Hundreds of police personnel have been deployed at the site.