Why 'biggest income tax raid ever' on Sasikala's family is a sham

The income tax raid on jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala's family has been described as the "biggest ever" in the department's history. On November 9, "Operation Clean Money" began with the intention to unearth crores of unaccounted money allegedly held by what is infamous today as the Mannargudi clan in Tami Nadu. Yet, five days on, the raid has yielded no El Dorado-esque gains.

The reported number of officers involved in the investigation is more than 1,800, and the number of locations more than 187.

The raids commenced around 6am at Jaya TV office in Chennai's Eekattuthangal area, and later covered properties owned by Sasikala's sister-in-law Ilavarasi; the latter's son Vivek Jayaraman now helms the TV channel. Ilavarasi's daughter Krishnapriya too came under the I-T net, with officials deciding to raid various locations in Chennai, Trichy, Mannargudi and Coimbatore to recover the treasure. Earlier this year, when Sasikala was granted parole, she stayed at Krishnapriya's residence.

However, this time, the I-T department didn't garner any support from local politicians. DMK working president MK Stalin compared the raids to Arabian Nights, joking that they haven't borne fruitful results. Many other leaders would agree with Stalin. Public sentiment is even worse with the people of the state now feeling convinced that it is just another persuasive means to keep Sasikala's family out of the political game.

And why shouldn't they? This "Tom and Jerry" game involving the prestigious and feared income tax department began with a crackdown on sandmining barron Sekar Reddy's assets. Pictures of new money being hoarded at a house belonging to him, those showing that I-T officers needed at least four counting machines to ascertain the value of the wealth — including gold — taken at various locations satisfied the public's urge to see the corrupt exposed.

Then came the I-T raid at former chief secretary Rama Mohana Rao's house in December 2016. During the crackdown, the I-T officials were kind enough to let the media take some shots of the "gifts" that were being recovered from his residence. Again, the people thought everything was going on the right track, and applauded the I-T department.

But the ordinary citizen realised that instead of bringing the culprits to court, these raids were an attempt to roll the political dice in the state.

After these series of raids, the then CM O Panneerselvam began his rebellion against Sasikala by breaking the party into two factions. Yet the election commission, another highly respected organisation, decided to freeze the party symbol.

With the announcement of the RK Nagar elections, and Sasikala loyalist TTV Dhinakaran making his position stronger in the constituency, came yet another I-T raid. This was the first time when doubts about Dhinakaran being made a scapegoat arose in Tamil people's minds.

Subsequently, raids were conducted at Tamil Nadu health minister C Vijayabhaskar's house and many other locations. Documents were released carrying the names of CM Edapaddi Palanisamy and many other ministers, citing their involvement in money distribution for votes. The election commission rescinded the election based on "preliminary reports" from the I-T department.

Yet, surprisingly, no inquiry or investigation was conducted against those involved. The only outcome of those raids was that TTV Dhinakaran was kept at arm's length by the party even as CM EPS grew close to the BJP.

TTV Dhinakaran was then arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe ECI for the "twin Leaves" election symbol. This move by the Delhi Police was the first step which made him a hero in the minds of the people of Tamil Nadu. TTV used the opportunity and played along, claiming innocence.

The raids have only helped Sasikala by manufacturing pity for her among Tamil Nadu's citizens who have begun to believe that the Mannargudi clan is being tormented — and the credit for it goes to India's I-T department. During all these raids, TTV Dhinakaran has not lost his cool.

Imagine a man conducting "Gow Pooja" at his home while his residence is being raided! "They are raiding my farmhouse, what do you think I-T will get there? Only cowdung and manure," the man said, boldly reducing the entire I-T department and the mega raid to a joke.

"Such a shift in the sentiments of the people is providing a major boost to Sasikala. They would definitely help her get back the control of the party, once she is out of prison. The people have now begun to believe that the raids were only conducted out of political vendetta," observed a political analyst.

Is there any merit in his argument?

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