The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday morning carried out simultaneous searches at multiple properties linked to Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister I. Periyasamy, creating ripples in state political circles.
According to sources, ED officials began their operations around 6:45 am, targeting residences in Dindigul, Chennai, and other locations allegedly connected to the senior DMK leader.
At Periyasamy’s residence in Ashok Nagar, Dindigul, four ED officials, backed by eight armed CRPF personnel, have been conducting searches since early morning. Security has been tightened around the premises, with access restricted to outsiders.
Parallelly, the agency is also searching the residence of Periyasamy’s daughter, Indirani, located at Vallalar Nagar. Six ED officers are involved in the inspection, supported by 10 CRPF personnel for security duty.
In addition, a third raid is underway at the home of Periyasamy’s son, Senthilkumar, who is the MLA from Palani constituency and also serves as the DMK’s Dindigul East District Secretary. His residence at Silappadi, near Dindigul, is being searched by another team of six ED officials with eight CRPF jawans stationed outside.
Apart from Dindigul, sources confirmed that raids are being carried out at locations in Chennai and Madurai linked to the minister and his family. The coordinated operation appears to be connected to alleged illegal money transactions, though the agency has not released an official statement yet.
News of the raids quickly drew a crowd of DMK cadres, who gathered outside Periyasamy’s residence in Dindigul, raising slogans in his support. The development has triggered sharp political reactions, with speculation rife about the timing and intent of the searches.
Periyasamy, a veteran DMK leader, has been serving as Tamil Nadu’s Rural Development Minister since 2021. He has held multiple portfolios in the past and wields considerable influence in the southern districts of the state.
The ED’s move has intensified political debate in Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties expected to seize on the development, while the DMK leadership is likely to allege political vendetta.
The raids are ongoing at the time of reporting, and further details on the agency’s findings are awaited.
