ED seeks permission to conduct money laundering probe against former minister Anita R. Radhakrishnan
Tamil Nadu: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent a letter to the Tamil Nadu government seeking permission to investigate an alleged money laundering case against former minister Anita R. Radhakrishnan. The case pertains to Thoothukudi district, where an investigation is already underway into allegations of disproportionate assets.
According to reports, Anita R. Radhakrishnan is accused of amassing assets disproportionate to her legal income while serving as Housing Minister in the AIADMK government between 2001 and 2006. She is a resident of Dandupattu village in Thoothukudi district. Based on the allegations, the Anti-Corruption Department had already taken action against her.
The Thoothukudi Anti-Corruption Department had filed a case against a total of seven people in this case, including former minister Anita R. Radhakrishnan, his wife Jayakandi, his sons Anantha Padmanabhan, Anantha Ramakrishnan, Anantha Maheshwaran, and his brothers Shanmuganathan and Shivanandam are also named. All of them have been accused of amassing assets disproportionate to their incomes, amounting to approximately ₹4.90 crore.
According to investigating agencies, preliminary investigations revealed a significant discrepancy between the accused’s declared income and their assets during the relevant period. Considering the matter serious, the Anti-Corruption Department initiated a detailed investigation.
According to sources, the Anti-Corruption Department conducted searches at several locations during the investigation. During the investigation, allegedly significant documents, property-related papers, and other records were seized, which are considered crucial to the investigation.
The Enforcement Directorate has now sought formal permission from the state government to initiate an investigation into the money laundering angle. The ED states that since the case already involves corruption and disproportionate assets, a thorough investigation into financial irregularities is necessary.
The matter has sparked heated debate in political and administrative circles. However, there has been no detailed public response from the former minister or his family to the ED’s action or the allegations.
Experts believe that if the state government grants permission, the ED could conduct a thorough investigation into the financial transactions, source of assets, and possible money laundering networks in this case.
At present, this matter has once again brought the state’s political and administrative system into the spotlight, and further action will depend on the state government’s decision.
