ED searches houses of BJP, AIADMK functionaries

Pudukottai: Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducted searches at the residences of AIADMK and BJP functionaries and their associates in Pudukottai on Friday and seized several documents.The searches were conducted at the residence of V Muruganandam, 53, a resident of Kadukkakadu village, who is BJP treasurer for Pudukottai North. The premises of his elder brother, V Ravichandran, 55, a deputy block development officer at Karambakudi union office, and his younger brother, V Palanivel, 50, AIADMK district MGR youth wing secretary, were also searched. A 20-member ED team from Madurai, accompanied by armed CISF personnel, commenced their operations around 7am searching Muruganandam's residence in Charles Nagar. Only his family members were reportedly present, but his another property at Kadukkakadu was also searched. Searches were also conducted at the residences of his brothers Ravichandran and Palanivel in Kadukkakadu. Palanivel's associate's residence on KVS Street in Alangudi was also searched. Muruganandam had resigned from his govt position as junior assistant in the office of the assistant director of panchayats in Pudukottai. Following the DMK govt's assumption of office, DVAC registered a case in September 2021 under Prevention of Corruption Act against him and his wife M Gandhamathi, president of Mullankurichi village panchayat, for allegedly amassing disproportionate wealth. DVAC had conducted searches at their residences, including Muruganandam's home in Charles Nagar and Palanivel's house, seizing numerous vital documents. In the latest development, ED officials, suspecting illicit monetary transactions connected to the DVAC case, began gathering case details.