Enforcement Directorate raids linked to money laundering case involving Minister I Periyasamy and family spark protests and political tension.
The Chennai Police registered a Community Service Register (CSR) complaint after an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team entered a Chennai MLA hostel. The raid is part of a money laundering and disproportionate assets investigation involving Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister I Periyasamy and his family.
ED officers conducted simultaneous searches at multiple locations, triggering protests and heightened security in the city.
Locations Targeted in the Raids
- MLA Hostel, Chennai: Minister Periyasamy’s son, IP Senthil Kumar, has an apartment in the complex.
- Minister’s Residence, Dindigul: Family home of I Periyasamy.
- Daughter’s Residence, Sivaji Nagar, Dindigul: Home of Indirani Periyasamy.
- Family-Linked Mills, Batalagundu: Business premises connected to Minister’s relatives.
Teams were accompanied by central paramilitary forces, cordoning off the areas from early morning and conducting intensive searches for several hours.
Legal and Political Context
- The Periyasamy family is already under scrutiny in the money laundering and disproportionate assets case.
- A Supreme Court hearing regarding the case is scheduled for August 18, 2025.
- The DMK has challenged the raids in court, alleging political bias ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Political Reactions and Protests
- DMK cadres staged sit-in protests outside the Minister’s residence in Dindigul, chanting slogans and demanding an end to what they called politically motivated actions.
- DMK spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah told NDTV:
“If the ED is neutral, it should raid BJP state chief Nainar Nagendran’s house, against whom there is a Rs 4 crore seizure case filed nearly two decades ago. Their motive is clear. We will fight this legally and will not be caught in the BJP’s washing machine.” - Security forces remained deployed throughout the day to prevent escalation.
ED and Police Standpoints
- ED officials declined to comment on the outcome of the raids.
- Chennai Police filed a CSR complaint against “unknown persons” to record the incident officially.
- The situation underscores tensions between state law enforcement and central agencies, particularly in politically sensitive investigations.
The ED raids on the Periyasamy family, combined with DMK protests, have created a tense atmosphere in Chennai and Dindigul. With the Supreme Court hearing approaching and the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon, the case is likely to remain in the political spotlight.
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