CBI Raids: Political vendetta, says Stalin

Mangaloretoday/NDTV

Chennai, March 21: DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s son MK Stalin has said that the CBI searches at his residence just two days after his party pulled out of the ruling coalition at the Centre proves that it is a case of "political vendetta".

 

The investigating agency searched Mr Stalin’s residence in Chennai this morning in connection with alleged illegal import of cars.

Yesterday, Mr Stalin’s party the DMK quit the UPA over the government’s refusal to take a strong stand against Sri Lanka at the UN’s top human rights body in Geneva. It was reportedly Mr Stalin who pushed his father to quit the government in the midst of negotiations with the Congress.

"You see for yourself. The raids took place just two days after we quit the UPA," Mr Stalin told reporters outside his house. Party leader TR Baalu also said he was sure that the "raids are linked to the DMK exiting UPA alliance." "Congress has stooped to this level, very sorry to say this," he added.

But sources in the CBI say the searches were conducted after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence complained that the DMK leader had not paid duty for imported cars owned by him.

The raid began around 6 am and continued for nearly three hours. Hundreds of party supporters had gathered outside Mr Stalin’s house while the officers searched his residence.

The investigating agency also searched at the residence of Mr Stalin’s Secretary Raja Shankar.

Mr Karunanidhi’s daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi is also being investigated by the CBI in connection with her alleged role in the 2G spectrum allocation scam. In 2011, she spent nearly six months in jail before being granted bail.