The Enforcement Directorate is currently conducting widespread raids across properties linked to a prominent Tamil Nadu Minister, sparking a major political storm in the state. This sudden action by the central agency, which began early this morning, targets multiple locations in Chennai and other parts of the state. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party quickly responded, strongly calling these raids a clear act of political revenge aimed at destabilizing the state government. The move intensifies the already tense relationship between the central government and the DMK, raising serious questions about political interference as investigations unfold.
Properties Searched in Money Laundering Probe
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday, August 16, 2025, conducted extensive searches at various properties linked to Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister I. Periyasamy and his son, I. P. Senthil Kumar, who is also an MLA. The raids were carried out in multiple locations, including Chennai, Madurai. Dindigul, as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. Officials from the ED, accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel for security, began their operations early in the morning. Searches were specifically reported at Minister Periyasamy’s official residence on Greenways Road in Chennai, as well as at his home and other properties in Dindigul, including those in Durairaj Nagar, Vallalar Nagar. Seelapadi. The premises of his MLA son, I. P. Senthil Kumar, were also searched.
The investigations are being conducted under the rules of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Sources indicate that the searches lasted for several hours, with some operations concluding in the evening while others were still ongoing at the residences of the minister’s son and daughter in Dindigul. Local members of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party gathered near the houses where the raids were happening, with some shouting slogans against the central government.
Allegations of Money Laundering and Past Case
The current money laundering investigation against Minister I. Periyasamy and his family is linked to an older case involving accusations of accumulating wealth that did not match their known sources of income. This specific inquiry follows a directive issued in April by the Madras High Court. The High Court’s order instructed a special court in Dindigul to formally lay charges against Periyasamy and his family members in connection with a “disproportionate assets” case. The court also mandated that the trial be carried out on a daily basis and completed within six months.
The original case, filed by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), alleged that Periyasamy had gathered assets worth about Rs 2. 1 crore in his own name and in the names of his wife and sons between 2006 and 2010. This period was when he served as a minister in the state government. A trial court had previously acquitted Periyasamy and his family members in this case. But, the Madras High Court overturned this acquittal and called for a fresh trial.
“The inquiry follows a Madras High Court directive to frame charges in a disproportionate assets case involving approximately Rs 2. 1 crore, allegedly accumulated between 2006 and 2010 by the minister and his family members beyond their known income sources.”
The High Court’s directive came after the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) filed petitions challenging the earlier court order that had cleared Periyasamy and his family.
DMK’s Strong Rejection and Claims
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in Tamil Nadu has strongly condemned the ED raids, calling them politically motivated. Senior DMK leaders stated that central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department are being used as “weapons” by the central government against opposition political figures. R. S. Bharathi, the DMK Organisation Secretary, stated that the party would “neither fear the ED nor Modi” and would address the matter legally. He also accused the central ruling party of using powerful and independent bodies as “election tools.”
“The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu on Saturday responded sharply to the ED raids targeting its senior leader and minister, I Periyasamy, saying it was an attempt to divert attention from ‘vote chori,’ a term coined by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over alleged electoral fraud in the 2024 elections that the BJP-led NDA won.”
DMK leaders alleged that the raids were an attempt to draw public attention away from “vote chori” (vote theft) accusations. These accusations were made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding alleged electoral fraud in the 2024 national elections. Kanimozhi, another senior DMK leader, affirmed that the ruling party would not be intimidated by the ED searches. She added that the central government’s only goal was to “conduct ED raids” in the homes of some DMK ministers and create “an image of criminality.”
The party has consistently argued that the central government and its related bodies are misusing independent agencies to target leaders from opposition parties. They have also pointed out that while charges have been filed against some former ministers from another party, the ED has not taken action in those cases.
Broader Political Impact and Past Instances
The raids on Minister I. Periyasamy add him to a list of high-ranking DMK leaders who have recently come under the scrutiny of central agencies. Other senior DMK figures, including Public Works Department Minister E. V. Velu and Municipal Administration Minister K. N. Nehru, have also been under investigation by either the Income Tax Department or the ED. Moreover, V. Senthil Balaji and K. Ponmudy, who were removed from the state cabinet in April, are also currently under the ED’s watch. The DMK sees these actions as part of a larger pattern of central agencies targeting opposition parties, especially those in power in southern states.
This situation has created significant political tension in Tamil Nadu. The DMK maintains that such investigations are a form of retaliation and will not cause them to back down. They have vowed to face these matters legally.
