New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its investigation into alleged money laundering within Tamil Nadu’s TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) with fresh raids conducted on Friday. At least twelve locations linked to TASMAC officials and agents were targeted, marking the second major wave of enforcement actions since March. The initial raids in March uncovered evidence suggesting significant financial irregularities within the state-run liquor monopoly. The ED alleges manipulation of tender processes and unaccounted cash transactions, with estimates reaching ₹1,000 crore, implicating distillery companies in the alleged scheme.
This latest round of raids has broadened the scope of the investigation. High-profile individuals are now under scrutiny. Among them is S. Vikas, the IAS officer serving as managing director of TASMAC, who is being questioned at his residence. The inclusion of Akash Vasudev, a prominent Tamil movie producer and owner of Dalan Pictures, adds an unexpected dimension to the case. The ED is exploring the connection between TASMAC and Vasudev, investigating whether he played a role in laundering bribe money.
The timing of these raids is significant. Following the initial ED investigations in March, TASMAC and the DMK government challenged the legality of the raids in the Madras High Court, citing procedural irregularities. However, the High Court upheld the ED’s actions, emboldening the agency to proceed with this latest investigation. The extensive nature of the current raids, mirroring the three-day operation in March, indicates a significant effort to uncover further evidence.
The ED has registered 45 FIRs concerning TASMAC and Tamil Nadu government officials, suggesting a long-standing pattern of alleged irregularities and illicit financial activity. The potential impact on the ruling DMK party is considerable, particularly if the ED uncovers substantial evidence of corruption. At this early stage, there is no official reaction from the DMK party. The continuing investigation promises to reveal more details about the complex web of alleged financial wrongdoing within TASMAC.
