Chennai (Tamil Nadu): The Income Tax Department sleuths conducted searches at over two dozen premises of popular hotel and restaurant chains in Tamil Nadu on charges of alleged tax evasion.

Saravana Bhavan, Hot Bread, Anjappar and Grand Sweets were among the 32 locations swooped down by IT officials.

The residences and offices of the directors of these food-joint chains are being raided by a team of over 100 I-T sleuths, the officials told news agency PTI.   These hotels serve some of the best south Indian delicacies, including cakes, pastries and sweets that are even shipped abroad, a senior official said.

The officials added that the department is looking into allegations of suppression of income by these groups by various means and hence decided to conduct searches and obtain further evidences.