Search at 15 places belonging to sand minerals exporter

Another source said that the accountants of the companies were asked to go on leave to prevent facing the enquiry.

THOOTHUKUDI: Hours before the verdict on the 18 disqualified legislators came flashing, around five to eight sleuths of Income Tax (I-T) department conducted surprise check at 15 places belonging to a beach sand baron, here on Wednesday.

Sources said that pigment unit, beach sand godowns and marine units owned by premier beach sand minerals exporter Vaikundarajan were inspected by the IT sleuths who reached the units by 7 am. They raked up all the documents of each unit and clarified the records with the company staffs, sources added.

Similarly, raids were conducted on the premises of private Container Freight Station (CFS) located near Thoothukudi VOC port and its head office situated in SIPCOT complex. The sleuths frisked the employees of the firm and seized their mobile phones which were returned in the evening, sources said.

Another source said that the accountants of the companies were asked to go on leave to prevent facing the enquiry.