In Chennai, officials from the Sand Department are conducting investigations with heightened scrutiny at the residences of sand contractor Karikalan and his associates. Karikalan’s residence had previously been granted permission by the court to evade scrutiny by sealing off his premises.
Complaints had arisen regarding illegal sand mining activities in Tamil Nadu, leading to the initiation of an investigation by the Sand Department. Officials from the Sand Department have been conducting thorough examinations with heightened scrutiny in various locations across Tamil Nadu since last year.
Sand contractors, including those in the sand quarry business, have had their residences, offices, and sand mining sites scrutinised by officials from the Sand Department. During these examinations, significant documents, bank accounts, black money, and initial investments have been scrutinised.
Last week, officials from the Sand Department conducted inspections at 17 locations in Chennai and Pudukkottai. During these inspections, documents involving investments of up to 2 billion rupees were seized. Investigations have been initiated at the residences of individuals including Shanmuga Ramachandran, Karuppaiya Rathanam, Panneer Selvam, and Karikalan.
At present, assets worth 1.3 billion rupees have been seized. Additionally, funds up to 250 million rupees have been frozen from the bank accounts of Shanmuga Ramachandran, Karuppaiya Rathanam, and Karikalan.
Currently, officials from the Sand Department are conducting investigations with heightened scrutiny at the residence of sand contractor Karikalan in the CID Nagar area of Chennai. Similarly, officials are also conducting investigations at the residence of his associate, Arun.
During the previous investigation by the Sand Department, Karikalan fled his residence. Subsequently, the Sand Department sealed his residence. With this action, the scrutiny initiated today is progressing with the approval of the court.
Moreover, Karikalan has not been exempted from penalties, and today’s investigation has been carried out without any hindrances. Information has emerged that today’s investigation is based on the evidence of previous raids, which uncovered incriminating documents.