The Enforcement Directorate (ED) continued to raid the properties related to industrialist Ratnam and his brother-in-law Govindham for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. The raids were conducted at over 25 locations including sand mining sites, sales depots and residences of the industrialists on Tuesday. The simultaneous searches are conducted across the state due to the allegations of large-scale tax evasion in the sale of sand mined from riverbeds.


According to ANI, #WATCH | Tamil Nadu | ED raids continue for the second consecutive day on properties related to industrialist Ratnam and his brother-in-law Govindham, in Dindigul. Yesterday, ED launched simultaneous searches across the state on allegations of large-scale tax evasion in the sale of sand mined from riverbeds.






 


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On Tuesday, ED officials arrived at over 25 locations to probe the alleged money laundering involved in the sale of sand mined from the riverbed. The sand was also reportedly sold at sale points managed by T.N. Water Resources Department. 


However, till now, as per norms sand is only sold through online means through TN Water Resources Department website and issued based on an e-receipt at the depots. It is asserted that a considerable amount of sand is bought offline but not recorded on a regular basis.


Durai Murugan, DMK general secretary, is the Minister of the mining sector in Tamil Nadu government. Sand that is extracted from riverbeds and sold at sand depots or sales locations is managed by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department.