ED raids conducted in multiple places in Chennai
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched searches in at least six locations in Chennai and one in Katpadi in Vellore district, linked to a money laundering case against S Pandian, former superintendent of Tamil Nadu’s Department of Environment, who is an who is an accused in a corruption case filed by the State Directorate of Vigilance and Anti- Corruption (DVAC) in FIR.
Based on this DVAC FIR, ED has now registered a PMLA case and started investigations. Sources said that six locations in Chennai including those linked to Pandian and a few companies in Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar were searched.
Places owned by a businessperson in Katpadi were also searched in this regard.
The primary allegations against Pandian and other accomplices were collection of bribes to facilitate environmental clearances for projects including those in the real estate and industries.
Sources said that ED has collected evidence regarding the link between officials and entities in different government departments facilitating corruption in getting approvals of projects. However, no official statement has been issued by the agency as yet.