The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at seven locations linked to Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy and Lok Sabha MP Gautam Sigamani on Tuesday. The raids were part of a money laundering investigation related to alleged illegal sand mining.
Cash totaling Rs. 81.7 lakhs, foreign currency (British pounds) equivalent to around Rs. 13 lakhs, and incriminating documents were seized during the searches. The ED also froze a fixed deposit amounting to Rs. 41.9 crore.
The investigation aims to uncover any potential financial irregularities and determine the extent of involvement in the alleged illegal sand mining activities. Further actions and legal proceedings are expected to follow as the case progresses.